Montagny considered for third Aguri seat

The Frenchman left Renault at the end of 2005 and has been pursuing a racing seat in the Champ Car series.

However, despite setting impressive times in testing for the PKV team at Sebring last month, autosport.com understands that PKV are now looking for a more experienced Champ Car driver to partner their recent signing, rookie Katherine Legge.

Super Aguri, who will make their Formula One debut at Bahrain, have already confirmed last week that Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide will be the team's race drivers for 2006.

This leaves the team with a free seat for the test and reserve driver, as the team are eligible to run a third driver in Friday's practice sessions.

Super Aguri's managing directory Daniel Audetto has confirmed the team contacted Montagny but said the Frenchman is one of a few candidates - with no decision yet made on who to sign.

"I know Franck from my days at Renault," Audetto, who worked at Renault F1 as business development director, told autosport.com. "He is a good driver and a friend, so when we reviewed our options for a good development driver, we naturally contacted him.

"But we have not yet made a decision, and Franck is one of several options we are currently considering. Our first priority is to have a Japanese driver, but it's not very easy...so we are considering other options. And Franck could be suitable. We'll see."

Audetto said the team were under no hurry to decide on a third driver, despite there being only two weeks before the first race.

"We may decide to start the season without a third driver," Audetto explained. "We don't have to run a third driver, and it's not on the top of our priorities right now."