Cochet gets drive as all change at Prost Junior

The Prost Junior team's driver line up has been in a state of flux for the last month and Nicolas Filiberti was replaced by Stephane Sarrazin for the last round of the Formula 1 feeder series in Monaco four weeks ago.

The team was looking for a permanent replacement for Filiberti after a string of lacklustre performances from the Italian, and as a result Baumgartner has been signed for the remainder of the season, with an option for next year.

Gabriele Varano has been driving the second Prost Junior Lola so far this year, also with limited success. The French team, formerly Apomatox racing, has therefore decide to wipe the slate clean this weekend. With Baumgatner nominated as its number one driver, the second driver can be changed and Cochet has been brought in to replace Varano for Saturday's race.

"I only found out yesterday," Cochet told Autosport.com. "The team asked if it is possible to race and I said I was not busy! This is a good opportunity to learn the F3000 circuits.

"I've never tested with the team, Only with Super Nova last year. As I'm Prost's test driver, it's obvious for me to come in and help."

Cochet was set to secure a crack seat with David Sear's Super Nova outfit at the beginning of the year, but the deal fell through at the last minute. The young Frenchman is also driving in Formula Nissan this year and has so far scored two podium finishes, as well as a sixth place in the Monaco round of the Porsche Super Cup.

As a result of the driver changes, Varano is now out of a seat, but he has been linked to the British Formula 3 RC Prost Junior team, which as of this week has no drivers (see separate story).