McNish Wary of Middle Order Teams

Grand Prix new-boy Allan McNish has revealed that his Toyota team are worried about failing to compete with the middle order teams this year.

The Scot lines up alongside teammate Mika Salo for Toyota's first Grand Prix in Melbourne in March and said on Sunday that the speed of the likes of Renault, Sauber and BAR was a concern for them.

"We're not going to challenge the big three teams," McNish said at the Autosport International Show. "But our worry is that the middle order is getting more and more competitive.

"Benetton were off the pace last year but the Renault-branded car has been quick in testing. Sauber were very good last year and their car is a development of that, and then there's Jordan and BAR.

"You're suddenly down to 16th or 18th on the grid and it's going to be pretty hard to break into that middle order group."

McNish begins testing at Valencia in Spain on Tuesday as Toyota continue their programme ahead of the new season and the 32-year-old admits he is already looking forward to his Grand Prix debut.

"Melbourne is going to be a bit of a bizarre experience," he added. "I'm going to achieve one of my dreams and I'm definitely going to enjoy it."