Ex-Formula 1 driver and Champ Car World Series race winner Robert Doornbos has been signed as the race driver for AC Milan's assault on the inaugural Superleague Formula championship.

The 25-year-old Dutchman drove for Minardi and Red Bull in Formula 1 before earning the rookie of the year title and three race wins in Champ Car last year.

“I am so pleased to have reached an agreement with AC Milan and Scuderia Playteam," Doornbos said.

"For me it is a really exciting as I’ve always been a huge AC Milan fan. My aunt Jeanine actually used to be the physio of the famous successful trio of Dutch players Marco van Basten, Franck Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit.

"At school I could show off and share with my friends all the latest stickers of the club. Now they have left or retired, but current Dutch champion Clarence Seedorf who is currently at the club is my best friend.

“I also drove in F1 for Minardi and I have kept good contacts with Giancarlo Minardi whose son now manages Scuderia Playteam. It’s definitely a small world. My first chief engineer in racing was Gabriele Tredozi – now the technical director for the team.

"I speak fluent Italian also so that will be very handy!”

Doornbos will get his first opportunity to drive the 750 horsepower, V12 powered Superleague Formula car at the Monteblanco circuit near Seville from July 9-10-11.