Newman Haas Lanigan Racing has confirmed that Oriol Servia will return to the team this weekend for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.

The 35-year-old Spaniard, who found himself without a ride in the series this season, will take over the #06 entry vacated by Dutch driver Robert Doornbos earlier this week.

Doornbos has since inked a deal to return to the HVM team run by Keith Wiggins.

Servia returns to NHLR having impressed during the 2005 Champ Car season, when called into the team to replace Bruno Junqueira after he was injured in the Indy 500. During an eleven race stint, he took seven podiums in eleven races – including a win in Montreal.

“I'm very pleased about this opportunity for many reasons,” he said. “First, I am excited to be back in the cockpit where I should be and, second, it reunites me with the team that I had the most success with in my career.

“It's not ideal in terms of preparation time but the last time we did this with the same amount of notice, we ended up on the podium so I don't see why that can't happen again. I would like to thank Carl and Mike for thinking of me and I won't let them down.”

Team co-owner Carl Haas said he was delighted to bring Servia back into the team alongside Graham Rahal, and said he was confident that he would shine despite his time out of the car.

"Oriol did a fabulous job when he drove for the team in 2005 and I am confident he will do as well now,” he said. “The combination of Oriol's talent, energy and personality and the team's excitement in having him back is as good as it gets.”