Toyota Drivers Looking Forward to First Race

Scot Allan McNish says a dream will come true when he lines up on the grid for his first Grand Prix in Australia next year with the Toyota team.

Speaking at the team's base on Monday, when the Japanese outfit unveiled their 2002 car, 32-year old McNish revealed he can't wait to compete in his first Formula One Grand Prix.

"There's no feeling of trepidation at this point, just anticipation ahead of Melbourne," he said. "Qualifying in Australia is when the butterflies will start.

"This is a very big time for both myself and the team. It is a dream come true for me, and there was a period I didn't think that it would happen. Now Melbourne can't come quickly enough."

Scot McNish and Finn teammate Mika Salo have spent 2001 testing the prototype Toyota at several Formula One circuits around the world. Salo, who decided not to race last season in order to join Toyota's programme, was also very excited about the challenge ahead of them.

"We have done everything we wanted to do," said Salo "With other teams I have seen how to do it and how not to do it. It's a new challenge for us, and it has been good to see it grow from zero. I've never been so happy in all of my life. Expectations for next year are very high from me."