Power to stand in for Castroneves

IndyCar driver Will Power has been signed by Penske as cover for Hélio Castroneves, who is facing tax evasion charges in the US.

Power, who drove for KV Racing Technology in 2008, will test with the Honda-engined Penske team alongside fellow Australian Ryan Briscoe. Possible race outings will depend, according to Penske, “on the timing and outcome of Hélio’s pending court case”.

Tim Cindric, president of Penske Racing, welcomed 27-year-old Power to the team, describing him as a “terrific racer” who will be a “good fit”.

Double Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves is charged with failing to report $5.5 million (£3.75m) in income. His trial is due to start in March, a month before the IRL opener in St Petersburg.