(from autosport) Former Honda F1 and Super Aguri test driver James Rossiter will make his American Le Mans Series debut at Road America this weekend. The 24-year-old Briton will join fellow former Super Aguri driver Franck Montagny in Andretti Green Racing's Acura for least two events, with Mosport following Road America later this month. "I'm really looking forward to the new challenge, and to racing with Franck," said Rossiter. "I really just want to enter into this with the goal of learning as much as possible." Rossiter was picked up by the Honda driver development programme while racing in the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2005. Although he tested for Super Aguri in the last two seasons, he hasn't raced regularly since his World Series by Renault campaign in 2006. AGR co-owner Michael Andretti added: "We feel very good about adding James to our line-up for the next two events. He's a promising young talent and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do here. "During the last couple of events we've shown the speed to contend for the podium, now we just need a couple of breaks to go our way." AGR only signed Montagny in June after parting company with Bryan Herta and Christian Fittipaldi and the Frenchman has partnered Marco Andretti in the last two ALMS rounds. Andretti's IndyCar schedule clashed with the ALMS for the next two races, before both series appear in Detroit on the August 30/31 weekend. Andretti will then be available for the final two rounds of the year, although Rossiter would be able to join the team again for Petit Le Mans on October 4.
what's AGR's strategy here, hiring down on their luck drivers at great value, developing future talent for the IRL team, or helping out their friends at Honda?
All the IRL drivers at AGR want to drive the P2 ALMS car. And why not. It's faster, has more downforce, and they say more fun to drive. The Deferran Acura P2 car on pole at Mid-Ohio was faster than the IRL pole. Does this create a dilemma for the IRL in scheduling these 2 series together in the future? Who knows.
When Danica was going to test prior to Sebring they said something about they had a seat issue. I've seen some big guys not fit, but little people. I also heard a story posted here where they put butter on a guy to try to fit him, but that's a little OT. Later Marco gets the ride at Sebring and runs the best laps of his entire season. So the drama was already there. We will have to wait for Petite in Oct. to judge any further as they will need a 3rd driver there.
He learned well when he ran F2000 (SuperFord in those days) with Reynard, a friend and I built them in a garden shed for a while in west London for the "Spax"team. Plus you're biased LOL. True, the formula gave great training on 'momentum' and smoothness, shame the powers that be couldn't maintain a series.....
