Montoya to have a NASCAR run-out

Both drivers have an affinity with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with Montoya having won the Indy 500 in 2000 before coming to F1 and Gordon triumphing three times in the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race held there. However, they won't be lapping on the oval, but the 2.6-mile infield road course instead, as used in the United States Grand Prix.

Montoya is raring to go, saying: "The experience will be very interesting, and driving a big, heavy NASCAR will certainly be different. "I don't think Jeff should be concerned that I will will take away his job, but I will enjoy the opportunity of driving his car and letting him take my Williams out for a drive."

Gordon is equally excited at the opportunity: "I'm just excited to get the opportunity. It's something I've dreamed of, just getting behind the wheel of an F1 car and seeing what it was like. I don't plan on going F1 racing, but I would just love to get that experience."

Joie Chitwood, senior vice-president of IMS business affairs, is excited by the prospect: "Jeff and Juan are race car drivers who love to drive cars - fast. So it's going to be fun to watch them experiement in different cars on the road course." IMS is providing free access for spectators to the South Terrace grandstands.