Toyota given no choice on testing ban

The German-based team is joining the F1 ranks next year and has been spending 2001 testing at several European tracks as it gears up for an assault on the world championship.

The F1 testing ban runs from the final race of the season on October 14 until the end of December and Toyota had planned to continue running right through the winter.

The Japanese marque argued that it did not become an F1 World Championship contender until the January 1 2002 and therefore did not have to comply with the rules until then.

However, rival teams argued that Toyota should not be allowed to run after the closing date for entries to next year's world championship and it was therefore decided, during a meeting at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix, that the newcomers can only test up until November 15.

"I don't think we were in position to argue," Andersson told Autosport. "This is going to have an affect on us."

The team continues to make progress with its development chassis, but is still struggling for pace. Drivers Allan McNish and Mika Salo attempted a Grand Prix distance apiece at the A1-Ring last week, but were thwarted by fuel pressure and exhaust problems respectively.