Grapevine: Audi and Bentley Interested in McNish

Audi and Bentley are interested in bringing Briton Allan McNish back to sportscar racing should he fail to secure another Formula One drive after being dropped by Toyota.

"Allan and I are in contact," Audi sports director Wolfgang Ullrich, whose cars have won Le Mans for the last three years, told British weekly Motorsport News on Wednesday.

"He is one of our first choices for next year and he would fit into our team very well. He is a very special guy, a good ambassador and an excellent driver," he said of the 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours winner.

Bentley communications director Sarah Perris said McNish was one of several drivers on their list.

Toyota announced a clear-out last week with McNish and Finnish teammate Mika Salo leaving the Formula One debutants at the end of the year to make away for Frenchman Olivier Panis and another driver yet to be decided.

McNish, 32, spent a decade trying to break into Formula One and made his debut in Australia in March. He made clear at the weekend in Belgium that he had not given up hope of remaining in Grand Prix racing. The U.S. CART series is another option.

"I could go to America but I would prefer to stay here as long as I can be sure of getting a competitive drive," British newspapers quoted him as saying. "I'm talking to more than one team and I'm optimistic I'll be able to get the drive I'm looking for. I'll be far better next year, knowing all the circuits."

But he told Motorsport News that he was not interested in a Formula One testing role.

"I have always enjoyed racing sportscars and they have been very, very good to me," he added. "I am very confident about my future but I can't tell you what it will be."

Jaguar and Jordan both have potential vacancies for next year, with Briton Eddie Irvine's contract at the former coming to an end and Japanese rookie Takuma Sato looking insecure at the latter.

Minardi also have at least one vacancy with Malaysian Alex Yoong set to stand down and Australian Mark Webber repeatedly linked to a Jaguar move.