F1 legend Mario Andretti has called on Franck Montagny to be banned for life for doping.

Former Super Aguri racer Montagny, a 37-year-old Frenchman, was suspended from the FIA-sanctioned new Formula E series recently when he tested positive for a cocaine derivative.

It has also been rumoured that Montagny's brush with cocaine may in fact date all the way back to his F1 career, which spanned test roles at Renault and Toyota.

He is yet to be formally sanctioned.

"If I had my way," said world champion Mario Andretti, "Monsieur Montagny would be banned for life.

"It is a big disappointment for us all, as he also endangered every other driver on the track. What he did is unforgivable in our sport," the 74-year-old told Germany's Welt newspaper.

Andretti's son Michael heads the team for which Montagny was racing. Montagny was replaced for the Buenos Aires round by Indycar driver Marco Andretti.

Marco's grandfather Mario, the world champion of 1978, insisted the Montagny case does not indicate that doping may be rife within top motor racing.

"There are always some black sheep," he said, "but there is no doping or drug problem in racing.

"The fact that Montagny was busted just shows that the control system works."

(GMM)