Pagenaud eyes Indy with Highcroft

The 26-year-old Frenchman was a rising star of American single-seater racing in the mid-2000s, winning the 2006 Atlantic title before impressing in Champ Car as a rookie with Walker Racing's Team Australia in 2007.

But he was left drive-less when Champ Car and IndyCar merged in 2008, so began a successful sportscar career instead - becoming part of Peugeot's factory LMP1 programme as well as winning last season's ALMS title with Highcroft and David Brabham.

Highcroft has been repeatedly linked with an IndyCar programme in recent years, and Pagenaud said the intention is for it to become a reality in 2011, with him as the driver.

"There's also an exciting project on the cards with Highcroft, and that is to enter a car for the Indy 500, which celebrates its centenary this year," said Pagenaud. "The Indy programme would also involve the Las Vegas race at the end of the season.

"I have always wanted to race in IndyCar and we are working hard on putting everything together. It would be fantastic if that could be in association with Highcroft."

Pagenaud will contest this weekend's Sebring 12 Hours in Highcroft's upgraded LMP1 HPD and will stay with the team if it is able to put together a programme to defend its title, which is not yet confirmed. He will also race for Peugeot in the Spa Intercontinental Le Mans Cup/Le Mans Series round and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

"It looks like I'm going to have plenty of interesting challenges on my hands this year, and that's a promising sign for the future," he said.