Formula One: McNish set for F1 bow

Allan McNish will become Britain's latest Formula One racer next season after being confirmed as Toyota's second driver.

The Scot will partner Finland's Mika Salo when the Japanese car giant makes its eagerly-awaited debut in 2002.

"McNish will race with us unless something really bad happens," Toyota's motorsport president Ove Andersson said at the launch of the team's first car at the Paul Ricard circuit.

"We have worked with Allan during our Le Mans programme and found him technically excellent and a pleasant person to work with.

"Both our drivers, we believe, will be able to help us move forward with our project because of their past experience.

"They are more than capable to provide the technical feedback needed by our engineers and technicians."

McNish, regarded as one of Britain's top drivers, has tested with McLaren and Benetton in the past, but had never been able to take the next step up and land a drive.

The Dumfries-born driver instead forged a career in sportscars, winning the Le Mans 24-Hour classic, and last year took the American Le Mans Series title with Audi.

McNish and Salo will conduct a massive testing programme for Toyota this year - much of it at their permanent facility at Paul Ricard - before becoming the 12th team on the grid next year.