Allan McNish signs for Renault

By Phil Huff
January 9 2003

Allan McNish will remain in Formula 1 for 2003, having been confirmed as Renault's test driver. Both McNish and Frenchman Franck Montagny have been announced as Renault's F1 test drivers for this year, but the Scot will conduct the majority of the duties.

The former Toyota driver will appear at every grand prix weekend for two hours on Friday, before handing the cars over to regular race drivers Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso, finally confimring that Renault have signed up to the Friday testing rules as confirmed on Renault Rockets some time ago.

"It is important for me to continue at a high level," said McNish. "It would have been disappointing to walk away after one season. It's a good situation - it's high profile. Because of the Friday testing I will still be in the shop window."

The one-year deal would allow McNish to return to racing in F1 next year, if he is able to secure a drive. "You never know what is going to happen," he said. "I displayed last year what I could do in an F1 car and hopefully I can prove that again this year. You can't guarantee anything but this is a very good opportunity."

Only two race drives are still available in F1 this year, at Minardi and Jordan. "They both require finance and I'm not in a position to provide that," McNish said.