BBC SPORT | Motorsport | McNish eyes US return

Allan McNish could move closer to earning a drive in the Indy Racing League when he takes part in a test in California next week.

The 32-year-old's future is uncertain after being released by Toyota following his maiden season in Formula One.

McNish was forced to miss Sunday's season finale in Japan having suffered a knee injury in his horrific 170mph shunt during qualifying at Suzuka.

The Scottish racer headed straight for the United States from Japan and will step into the Toyota-powered Penske car at the Fontana superspeedway early next week.

I'm very grateful to Toyota and Penske Racing for giving me this chance

Allan McNish

"I'm looking forward to trying out the Toyota IRL car," 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.

"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.

"As a professional racing driver, it's great to have new opportunities which present different challenges.

"Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this year in the United States F1 Grand Prix was one of the highs of the year for me, as the place is steeped in tradition and motor racing history.

Sad end to season for Scots

"It also heightened my desire to experience an oval, as the F1 course only uses one of the turns.

Allan McNish
McNish is knocked about but has no serious injuries
"However, I do have respect for the concrete walls and will be aiming to keep my distance from those."

McNish was hugely disappointed at missing the Japanese Grand Prix on medical advice, having smashed through a perimeter fence after losing control of his car at 130R Bend, the fastest part of the track.

The Dumfries-born driver said afterwards that he still hoped to continue in Formula One in 2003 but has not sorted out a drive yet and could struggle with few openings on the grid.

McNish, though, could head back to the United States, where he enjoyed great success in sportscars, winning the American Le Mans Series in 2000.


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