McNish Confident of Staying in F1 in 2003

Scot Allan McNish is confident that he will find a drive for 2003 after being surprised by the number of teams that have shown an interest in securing his services.

McNish made his Grand Prix debut for Toyota at the start of the year but has been dropped along with Finnish teammate Mika Salo for next season and is now seeking a drive to stay in Formula One.

There are few remaining places on the grid, but McNish, 32, believes he could still extend his stay in the sport.

"I am confident," McNish said of finding a drive for next year. "We are in discussions and there are some options in Formula One. I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of teams interested in me for 2003 and so although you will need to wait some weeks before knowing what is happening I think it will be worth the wait."

McNish, however, could still be forced back into sportscar racing, where he made his name in the years building up to his Grand Prix debut, and he admitted that he also has options outside Formula One.

The Audi and Bentley sportscar teams have both expressed an interest in the 32-year-old former Le Mans 24 Hours winner while the U.S. CART series could also be an option.

"Obviously I was disappointed about the decision and a little surprised that neither Mika nor I will be there next year," McNish said of Toyota's decision to drop him at the end of a three-year contract with the team.

"It is a pity I will not get the benefit of all the groundwork I have put in throughout the years with the car and the team. I am sure the lessons and mistakes of 2002 will be behind them and (technical director) Gustav Brunner should produce a good car for the 2003 season."