McNish will be a hit, says team manager

McNish is readying himself for his F1 debut in next year's Australian Grand Prix at the age of 31 as team mate to Mika Salo. But the Scot has his detractors in the F1 paddock, who doubt that he is up to the job after a long career in sportscars.

"He is going to surprise the people who don't think he can do the job," said Pasquali. "He is a very quick racing driver and he has shown us plenty of times this year that he is quick enough for F1."

Pasquali said that he too wasn't convinced that McNish was the man for the job until he showed his pace in Toyota's F1 testing programme this year.

"We knew he had the speed for sportscars, but we had not seen whether he had enough for F1," he said. "But we had no doubts after a few tests.

"There is no problem with his speed, his approach to the races or his technical feedback. I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes."