Toyota signs Sarrazin as test driver

He will share testing duties with young Australian Ryan Briscoe at the Cologne-based outfit, as the Japanese manufacturer prepares for its F1 competition debut at next weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

"I am really happy to be given the opportunity to test drive for the Toyota team," said Sarrazin. "It is not only a big step for me personally but also a huge boost for my career, and I can't wait to get started."

The 27-year-old has a limited amount of F1 experience. He drove for Minardi at the 1999 Brazilian GP as a substitute for an injured Luca Badoer, then subsequently became a test driver for Prost Grand Prix. His promising career in F3000 came off the rails in 2000 when he was sacked mid-season from the McLaren Junior team, but he made a one-off return to the category last year for Prost Junior at Monaco and finished third.

Sarrazin had been linked to a drive in the new Dallara Nissan single-seater series for this year. The Spanish organisers of the championship prematurely announced that he had signed for a team earlier this month. But with a Toyota test contract in his pocket, Sarrazin is unlikely to race in a series that is supported by a rival Japanese manufacturer.

One race he is likely to compete in is the Le Mans 24 Hours. Sarrazin tested ORECA's Dallara prototype at Estoril recently and is tipped to join the outfit's line-up for a second year running.