McNish set for Penske test

With his time as a Toyota F1 driver now over, Allan McNish is looking forward to taking his career in a new direction. The Scot will get a test in Team Penske's Toyota-powered '02 Dallara next Monday at the California Speedway.

Oct 18, 2002, 8:15 AM

McNish flew directly to the US from the Japanese Grand Prix, a race in which he was not allowed to compete in due to a qualifying accident. Sore but unbowed, McNish is eager to take advantage of the opportunity, which effectively is a 'return of a favour' between Team Penske and Toyota's F1 squad. The latter, of course, gave Penske IRL driver Helio Castroneves a run at the Paul Ricard circuit in France last month.

"I'm looking forward to trying out the Toyota IRL car with Penske Racing," said McNish. "I drove a CART car on a road course a few years back, but I've never had the chance to experience driving on an oval. This weekend I get to have a go and it's not only an oval, it's probably the fastest race track in the world. I'm very grateful to Toyota and Penske Racing for giving me this chance."

McNish has no firm plans for 2003, although if his test goes well, he could be a contender for a drive in the IRL, where Toyota will enter competition for the first time next year.