Montagny thankful to Super Aguri

Montagny, who replaced struggling rookie Yuji Ide at the team, will return to the role of third driver at the German Grand Prix in two weeks time.

The Frenchman will be replaced by Sakon Yamamoto.

Montagny had a pleasing send-off in his home race, finishing the event, albeit in 16th position.

"Well, from my point of view it's a good result because I finished the race," said Montagny. "I had a good start and I could fight with the others. I cut the chicane only because I had been overtaken by Monteiro and I couldn't get into the chicane.

"So it was a good start in terms of being able to race with the other cars and after that I just tried to focus on the tyres and on the car and to give my maximum and see how it works. And we finished the race.

"The team and the engineers did a good job this weekend and I have to thank the Super Aguri F1 Team and Aguri Suzuki for giving me the opportunity to race with them."

The French Grand Prix also marked the final race for the SA05, with the team set to debut their new car in Germany.

"Obviously I'd like to say big thanks to the SA05," said Montagny's teammate Takuma Sato, who retired on the opening lap of the race. "The car has done a great job since the beginning of the season, but this was not the end to the weekend that we wanted.

"I had a clutch problem on the formation lap and so at the start I really struggled to pull away. When I finally moved everyone was already in the distance, but I rapidly caught up with the group on the straight and I overtook one Midland into the hairpin.

"But then I couldn't select the gears and there was nothing else I could do. It is a great shame for the boys who have worked so hard. We split the strategy between Franck and me and I should have had a really strong package. I am very pleased for the team and for Franck that he had a fantastic race today."