Toyota let McNish go

Allan McNish is to be dropped by the Toyota formula one team after a single season. The 32-year-old Scot was told yesterday that his contract will not be renewed and the Japanese grand prix on October 13 will be his last race for the team.

Toyota are also releasing Mika Salo after signing the BAR-Honda driver Olivier Panis on a two-year contract.

McNish was philosophical yesterday, although rumours about him being stood down had persisted since almost the start of the season.

"Obviously it is a little bit disappointing but overall I believe I have done a good job," he said. "In my first formula one season the only way I could measure myself was against my team-mate, who has done about eight years in formula one, and I think I come out pretty well in both qualifying and racing.

"I don't quite know the full reason behind both drivers leaving. I don't want to be in formula one just for the sake of being in formula one but there are other opportunities in racing which are available."

McNish kept tight-lipped on speculation that he might race in one of the US series, either Cart or the rival Indy Racing League, for which Toyota are preparing engines next season.

Toyota's second driver has yet to be revealed but the Cart championship leader Cristiano da Matta and Sauber's Felipe Massa are believed to be candidates.

McNish, whose highest finish was seventh in the Malaysian grand prix in March, will be taking part in Sunday's Belgian grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps, as will the Arrows team after a last-minute rescue deal was apparently sealed by the team principal Tom Walkinshaw.

According to an Arrows statement: "Heads of agreement have been signed regarding the purchase of the team by an American investor. We hope for the deal to be completed by Friday."

This may refer to a consortium of US investors headed by Craig Pollock, the Scottish businessman who founded British American Racing and still holds shares in the team.

Arrows are expected to race in Belgium with the Spanish driver Fernando Alonso partnering Enrique Bernoldi. Heinz-Harald Frentzen left the team after last month's German grand prix.

Orange, one of Arrows' major sponsors, is considering withdrawing from formula one altogether but will continue to support the team for the rest of the season despite a troubled year. But the French-owned mobile phone company may switch to co-sponsoring the Renault outfit.