Former Renault F1 rese🌸rve driver Franck Montagny has agreed to temporarily fulfil a similar role at grand prix newcomer Super 💯Aguri, signing a deal to play back-up to Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide at the first two races of the season.

The Frenchman is understoo♚d to be looking towards a career in America, following a promising Champ Car test with PKV Racing, but remains a free agent when the Formula One season starts in Bahrain next month. With the Champ Car season not due to start until Long Beach in April, the Malaysi♏an Grand Prix is also viable for Montagny, who confirms rumours about his F1 involvement by inking the short-term deal with SAF1.

Although the team has yet to run a third car - Sato and Ide shared the first SA05 in Spain last week and a planned outing at Silverstone was cut short by snow on Tuesday - Montagny will also benefit the newcomers by bringing several years of knowledge and experience from his time a𝄹t Renault. Super Aguri F1 is entitled to run a third car in Friday practice at each grand prix, having not finished in the top four in the 2🌱005 constructors' championship.