Aguri to replace Montagny with Japanese driver
The fledgling Japanese team's boss, Aguri Suzuki, is reportedly nigh on signing a countryman to permanently replace the team's axed rookie Yuji Ide.
Despite his protestations to the contrary, it is believed the Suzuki is under pressure to complete his 2006 lineup with a second Japanese, while Takuma Sato does a solid job in the primary 'SA05' car.
Frenchman Montagny was only ever signed as a 'Friday' driver for the Nurburgring, slipping into Ide's race seat at short notice. Subsequently, he got the nod for the grands prix in Spain and Monte Carlo.
''I am interested in Sakon Yamamoto,'' Suzuki, referring to the 23-year-old Formula Nippon driver, told 'Motorsport Aktuell' magazine.
Yamamoto, originally linked with the Leafield-based debutants over the winter, credibly drove a third test car for Jordan at Suzuka last October.
In the definitive practice session, he clocked a quicker time than yellow-clad regulars Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro.