Montagny races for Super Aguri at home French GP

PARIS, July 12 (Reuters) French stand-in Franck Montagny will make his home debut at Magny-Cours on Sunday after being given a one-race extension by the Super Aguri Formula One team.

''It's all confirmed,'' the Frenchman told Reuters tosday.

''It's just for this race and then I'm sure I'll be third (reserve) driver at Hockenheim.'' He will be the only French driver on the starting grid.

Montagny, initially contracted as a third driver for Friday free practice, replaced under-performing Japanese rookie Yuji Ide in May and has competed in the last six races for the Formula One newcomers. He has finished two of them.

Super Aguri, whose other driver is the experienced Takuma Sato, are keen to return to an all-Japanese line-up and have Sakon Yamamoto gaining experience in the reserve role before stepping up to the race seat.

The team were due to debut their new car at Magny-Cours, the 11th round of the 18-race season, but have deferred that to the German race at Hockenheim on July 28-30.

''It's not a new car, still the old one, but I'm quite happy to be here as its my national grand prix,'' said Montagny. ''I didn't finish the last two races and was quite unhappy afterwards.

''Now I've got one more chance to finish.'' Reuters AY RN1930