Ambrose set for V8 Supercar laps in Darwin

Marcos Ambrose is set to return to the wheel of DJR Team Penske’s V8 Supercar for Friday practice duties in Darwin.

Out of the car since stepping back from full-time driving in March, the 38-year-old will cut laps under rules that allow non-primary drivers time in the two 60 minute Friday sessions.

Although the team is yet to confirm who will be entered as the primary driver, Scott Pye is expected to continue race duties while Ambrose assesses the possibility of returning at some point prior to Sandown.

Confirmation of the team’s plan is expected to be made alongside a sponsor announcement for the #17 Ford later this week.

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“We haven’t yet determined if there’ll be a change in primary driver, but if status quo remains we’d like to have Marcos in on Friday,” a DJR Team Penske spokesman told Speedcafe.com.

A recent move to give each car an additional set of practice tyres for Friday is understood to have influenced Ambrose’s decision to take part in the sessions.

The former NASCAR driver had cited a lack of testing and tyre restrictions as the major factors behind his decision to step down.

The squad’s Hidden Valley assault will be run under the watch of Team Penske president Tim Cindric, who will return to the V8 Supercars paddock for the third time in five events.

Ambrose has attended all three events since moving out of the driver’s seat, helping Pye and the team make progress with the car.