Conquest see potential in Simpson

The South African driver completed two days of running with the team, and both parties are hoping to run together again in the near future.

Team co-owner Eric Bachelart said: "Stephen did an excellent job. His lap times were very competitive, he gave us good feedback, and he was under control the whole time.

"We definitely saw a lot of potential in him. He was easy to work with and very professional, and I hope we'll be able to work together again."

Simpson's most recent experience has come in A1GP and Champ Car Atlantic, and the 22-year-old was surprised at the level of performance of a Champ Car.

"I was able to acclimatise myself with a Champ Car including getting used to the brakes and downforce," he said, "which were in excess of anything I'd previously experienced.

"The test was very successful for me and it went better than I expected. I was pretty satisfied with my lap times considering my experience.

"It was a very useful test for me and I hope to be back in a Champ Car again next month."