By Matt Majendie BBC Sport Online

Allan McNish is determined to return to racing in Formula One despite being axed by Toyota at the end of last season.

The Scot's role in the sport has been reduced to a testing position at Renault for 2003.

But on Thursday he insisted he was already targeting a return to the grid in time for the following season, despite being one of the oldest drivers in F1.

He said: "I wouldn't have joined Renault if I didn't think I had a future in this sport. I've by no means given up hope. In fact, I'm all about looking to the future.

I know I could do the job if given the chance Allan McNish

"At the end of 2003 I will be a better driver than I am now.

"I am more and more coming to grips with the technology all the time. And a race drive remains the long-term aim."

McNish's arrival in F1 has been a long time in coming.

Previous testing roles for Benetton and McLaren in the early 1990s failed to produce a full-time racing contract.

And when his ambition was finally realised at the start of last season with Toyota, it was taken away after just one season when he was unceremoniously dumped by team boss Ove Andersson.

But McNish refuses to be bitter.

He said: "There's no point - it only makes you grumpy. It's much more healthy looking to the future."

The sportscar ace revealed there had been interest from teams for his services next season as a full-time driver.

But his inability to bring the big-money sponsorship deal required by a number of financially struggling teams in F1 ended his dreams of a second season at the forefront of motorsport.

Toyota gave McNish his F1 debut - but then dumped him

Prior to accepting his Renault deal, McNish considered a move across the Atlantic with the Penske Indy Racing League team, as well as a return to Le Mans, which he won in 1998, with Bentley.

"But I felt I had to give my all to just one thing and that was Renault," he added. "Renault seems to be the right move for me."

An overhaul of the testing procedures for 2003 mean that McNish will still be a regular face on the grid.

Renault have agreed to limit their on-track testing for the season to just 10 days and opted for two hours testing on the Friday before each Grand Prix.

While other leading manufacturers have refused to sign up to the Friday agreement, McNish believes the move is the "best way forward" for his new employers.

His presence at each Grand Prix could yet see his overall ambition realised once more, should first choice drivers Jarno Trulli or Fernando Alonso be injured.

Briatore has already publicly backed McNish to fill in on race days if necessary.

And the Scot said: "I don't like talking about Jarno or Fernando getting injured or ill. But I know I could do the job if I'm given the chance."