Toyota denies McNish won't see out year

One story being put around the Hockenheim paddock was that Heinz-Harald Frentzen had received an offer to complete the season in the Scot's place, but a team statement said: "In direct response to recent rumours concerning its driver line-up, Panasonic Toyota Racing would like to set the record straight. There is absolutely no truth in reports claiming that Allan McNish will not complete the 2002 Formula 1 season with Panasonic Toyota Racing.

"Team President Ove Andersson clearly stated during Friday's FIA press conference in Hockenheim that no decision regarding the 2003 driver line-up has yet been taken."

Andersson himself added: "When I said that Allan has a contract with us for this season, I meant the whole season."

Rumours are often planted for a purpose, but the fact is that McNish is continuing to do a good job for the team although luck seems to desert him on Sunday afternoon. Among the highlights of his season are a top 10 qualifying performance on his first visit to Monte Carlo.

At Hockenheim, he outqualified team-mate Mika Salo and ran ahead of him in the race until retiring after a loss of hydraulic pressure and resultant failures.