Young Aussie tests for Toyota

The 20-year-old drove the Japanese manufacturer's development car at the Paul Ricard circuit in the South of France, beating Toyota's winter testing ban which comes into force on November 15, by which time Toyota must lodge its entry for the 2002 F1 World Championship. After a handful of laps last Saturday, Briscoe completed a proper run on Monday.

"It's just great to drive the Toyota F1 car," enthused Briscoe. "This has been a great opportunity for me to get up to speed and the get the feel of an F1 car."

Although Toyota has confirmed Mika Salo and Allan McNish as its race drivers for next year, the team has yet to name a test pilot. Briscoe is hoping to take up the role.

"Driving an F1 car is something I've always wanted to do, but it's all very low key at the moment," he said. "I was just doing some laps before the test ban comes in later this week."

Briscoe won the Italian Formula Renault championship this year and also claimed victory in the Frenault Eurocup finals at Estoril in Portugal. He is hoping to combine F1 testing with a race drive in Formula 3 for next season.