Ex-F1 driver Jean-Eric Vergne working on Andretti IndyCar deal

Vergne, who is currently part of Andretti's Formula E line-up, told AUTOSPORT there had been an unsuccessful attempt to get him onto the grid for the season-opener in St Petersburg, but he remains optimistic that another opportunity could arise in the months ahead.

"We're talking," he said. "We're trying to find a way that I can race in IndyCar.

"We were quite close to doing something for the first race but it didn't happen, unfortunately.

"There are still many races left in this year's IndyCar championship and it would be nice if we could do one or two races together so I can see how everything works.

"I think it would be a really good thing for both of us."

Andretti has been rotating its driver line-up in its #25 entry, which has already been raced by Simona de Silvestro and Justin Wilson this season, and the team would have little trouble expanding that roster to accommodate Vergne.

However it has also proven adept at adding additional cars to its full-time line-up, and fielding an extra car on a one-off basis could be an option.

The Frenchman said that he would not be averse to racing on an oval, although his background means that a road course event would allow for an easier transition to American racing.

"Obviously I know a bit more about road courses," he said.

"On an oval I'd be starting completely from scratch, and would have to learn absolutely everything. It's completely different.

"Some [European] drivers probably think it's easy, but to me it looks extremely hard.

"You'd definitely need to work hard to be successful on ovals."

Vergne's comments follow similar indications from Andretti Global Rallycross driver and fellow ex-Toro Rosso racer Scott Speed regarding an interest in IndyCar seat time.

Team owner Michael Andretti admitted that the idea is being discussed, but said no firm plans have been made.

"There's a possibility," he told AUTOSPORT. "We're working on deals. There are some deals out there that could come true, and if they did then there's a possibility.

"But there's nothing planned right now.

"I'd love to get JEV [Vergne] and Scott into an IndyCar. But we'll see."