Big test for McNish

Allan McNish is bracing himself for another setback in his defence of the American Le Mans Series title.

McNish, along with Audi co-drivers Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen, was forced to settle for fourth in the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring a fortnight ago due to electrical problems.

That was a race won by the ’sister’ diesel-powered R10 Tdi driven by Emanuele Pirro, Marco Werner and Frank Biela.

However, ahead of tomorrow’s next round of the 12-race series in St Petersburg, it appears as if Audi’s 100% winning record stretching back to the start of last season is about to come to an end.

McNish’s Audi, essentially designed for the ultra-fast straights and sweeping high-speed turns of Le Mans, is not suited to the tight, stop-start nature of St Petersburg’s 1.7-mile street track.

“We face a massive, massive challenge at St Petersburg – and for that matter, the next three races which all happen to be on tight, low-speed street circuits,” confirmed McNish, partnered only by Capello now for the remainder of the ALMS.

“The track layout is definitely not complimentary to our car’s performance areas, and this will be our stiffest challenge to date.”