Hildebrand tipped for Indycar future

Indy Lights driver Hildebrand has been driving in the rookie sessions for Andretti Green's A1GP team, and has also had a two-day test in the squad's Indycar at Sebring. He will race for the affiliated AFS Racing team in Indy Lights this year.

"We've been really impressed with JR," said AGR team boss Michael Andretti. "We liked him so much right away that we actually had him go over and run the rookie sessions in the A1 with Marco and he's doing a really good job, as well as really being quite quick in the Indy Lights.

"He's only 20, but he's done a lot of races and won a lot of races. I actually think he's the favourite guy for the [Lights] championship, I really do. I think he's got a heck of a shot at it."

Marco Andretti said Hildebrand's feedback had already made a major difference to both AGR's operations.

"We've been working together overseas and to be honest I've been super-impressed," said Andretti. "Obviously he flies a long way and just does one session, and he's straight up to speed and he's already given us great feedback.

"We're able to actually go on and start the test plan with him. We've got to the point where I don't have to test the items again. We just take his word, and I think he's got a great feel.

"He already did a great job, he ran Sebring for us, as well, in IndyCar. We're already learning from him a lot. He has the speed as well. So it's been pretty impressive."

A former Formula Ford champion in America, Hildebrand was fifth in his first Indy Lights season last year.