Sakon Yamamoto is to remain as a second test driver with Super Aguri, the Honda-backed Japanese Formula One team announced on Tuesday.

Dutchman Giedo van der Garde was hired as the team's reserve driver for next season earlier this month.

The fledgling team failed to score a point in their debut season this year, but they hope to move up the grid in 2007 with Briton Anthony Davidson and Japan's Takuma Sato in the race seats.

The 24-year-old Yamamoto failed to finish his first four races in a tough introduction to F1 and was replaced by Davidson in the Super Aguri line-up for next year.

"It is really fantastic news that I am able to stay in Formula One with Super Aguri," Yamamoto said in a statement.

"I will do everything I can for the team in my new role."

Super Aguri joined the Formula One grid as the 11th team in 2006 using a revamped version of a four-year-old Arrows.

They finished the year considerably more competitive than they started it, with Sato posting a surprising 10th in Brazil ahead of both the Spyker MF1 and Toro Rosso cars.

(China Daily via Reuters December 27, 2006)