Newman/Haas tests Servia, Hinchcliffe

The duo will both be in action for the multiple Champ Car title-winning team on 13-14 December.

Servia drove for Newman/Haas in the second half of the 2005 Champ Car season after Bruno Junqueira suffered back injuries at the Indianapolis 500. The Spaniard's win in Montreal during that stint was his sole America single-seater victory so far. He also made a brief return to Newman/Haas to replace Robert Doornbos in late-2009.

"I am obviously very excited, not only to be back in a race car but to be back in a Newman/Haas car," said Servia, who has not had an IndyCar seat since his last Newman/Haas appearance.

"Every time I have driven a Newman/Haas car we have been able to make improvements and deliver results. They have some of the best engineers and the team members are among the hardest working in the sport. It's the situation every driver wants; to just focus on making improvements with the car."

Hinchcliffe's Newman/Haas run will be his first IndyCar test. The 23-year-old Canadian was second in Indy Lights this season.

"I can't express how excited I am to get my first test in an Indycar," said Hinchcliffe. "I grew up watching Indycars and always dreamed of one day driving one so this really is a dream come true.

"And to get my first taste of this car with a team the calibre of Newman/Haas Racing is really special. Their record speaks for itself and to get to work with them is a real privilege. It will certainly help me tackle the job of getting up to speed. I want to thank the Haas for this incredible opportunity.

"For sure this test is just the first step for me toward racing full time in the IZOD IndyCar Series. I will simply try to learn as much as I can and do the best job possible for the team."

The team described the test as "preparation for the 2011 IndyCar Series season." Newman/Haas ran Hideki Mutoh in 2010, plus a second car for Graham Rahal in a partial programme.