McNish Confident Start Problems Solved

Allan McNish is confident Toyota have resolved the starting problem that left him stranded on his home Formula One Grand Prix debut last weekend.

The Scot, appearing at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed weekend in southern England on Saturday, said recent tests in Italy had produced a solution.

"We went to Monza to try and work on the car for that type of circuit, with the kerbs and high speed," he told reporters. "But also in the back of our minds was to find and resolve the problem of Silverstone, which was basically a clutch control problem.

"We did that, we were able to replicate the exact scenario and the electronics guys found a solution. So therefore we shouldn't in theory have any problems on that in the future. But you know what Formula One's like, there's a lot of things that can creep up and happen and bite you. Unfortunately, Silverstone was one of them."

McNish, a late arrival in Formula One this season, had to be pushed back into the pitlane where he then retired. He suffered similar problems in Australia in the first race in March and the Scot made his feelings known on Sunday when he said newcomers Toyota should have such problems under control by now.

"Silverstone was actually my shortest Grand Prix - we had some problems in the previous races but not to actually go across your [home GP's] grid line is a bit frustrating," he said on Saturday. "But these things happen... so it's not something that I think we should be ashamed of, it's one of these 'first year blues' to some extent."

McNish has yet to score a point in 10 races and his place at Toyota remains subject to considerable speculation, with others linked to the job for 2003. "You can't let rumours get to you, because that's what they are. You've just got to keep your head down and keep doing the job," he said on the topic.

"I think I've done the job that was asked and I'm improving. From my point of view, from now to the end of the season and for 2003 I can only improve... this is very much a learning year in a lot of respects."