Yamamoto could get race chance

The Japanese driver has been drafted in for Friday duties for the next three races, with Frenchman Franck Montagny having been guaranteed the second race seat alongside Takuma Sato.

Team boss Aguri Suzuki has told autosport.com that no decision has been taken about who will be Sato's teammate from the Magny-Cours event next month, but that Yamamoto has a chance if he proves quick enough.

"Sakon is not very experienced in Formula One, so he needs more experience," explained Suzuki. "If he is good, then I can give him some race chance.

"But it is not decided yet what happens. We will see his performance. If he is good and if he is quicker than Montagny or Taku, then after that we can change. We will think about it then and then decide."

Yamamoto has previous F1 experience, having tested for Jordan at Silverstone last year before conducting third driver duties at his home grand prix.

Suzuki added that he was confident Yamamoto would do a better job than his previous driver Yuji Ide, who was dropped earlier this year after a troublesome start to the campaign resulted in his superlicence being taken away.

"I think he will do better. He is a bit of a different character. He has a bit of F1 experience from Suzuka and here at Silverstone last year. But we will see how he does."