Allan McNish will test drive for Renault in the 2003 season, the French team has confirmed.

The 32-year-old Scot was released by Toyota at the end of his maiden Formula One season last year.

Despite just one season racing in Formula One, McNish has plenty of experience in Grand Prix cars.

He tested for both Benetton and McLaren in the mid 1990s before two years preparing Toyota for their competitive debut.

McNish's new F1 deal was revealed exclusively by BBC Sport Online this week. He had been expected to head to the USA, possibly with the Indy Racing League.

Audi also declared their interest in taking McNish back to sportscar racing, but he has opted to join Renault instead.

Frenchman Franck Montagny completes Renault's line-up of test drivers.

McNish, though, will carry the burden of most of the team's testing.

They have signed up for the new testing arrangement that has been established for 2003.

That means he will carry the responsibility of setting up the car and trying out tyres in the new session that has been established on Friday mornings at races.

Only teams who have signed up for the new deal - which restricts them to a maximum of 10 test days not at race weekends - can take part in this new session.