The Scot headed straight for the US from the Japanese Grand Prix and will step into the Toyota-powered Penske

The Scot headed straight for the US from the Japanese Grand Prix and will step into the Toyota-powered Penske car at the Fontana Superspeedway early next week. “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.”McNish was hugely disappointed at missing the final Grand Prix in Suzuka having suffered a knee injury in a 170mph accident during qualifying. The Dumfries-born driver said afterwards that he still hoped to continue participating in Formula One in 2003 but has not sorted out a drive yet and admitted he could struggle with few openings on the grid..

Takuma Sato’s hopes of retaining his Formula One drive next season have received a boost after Jordan signed a lucrative sponsorship deal. After Sato claimed his maiden points with a fifth place on home ground in Suzuka last weekend, the team manager Eddie Jordan called on Japanese companies to back the youngster’s hopes of sustaining a Formula One career.
Sato has a contract with Jordan for 2003, but with Honda departing as engine suppliers his future has been in doubt. However, the Japanese electronics company Brother has agreed to extend their sponsorship deal into a third year.Two European circuits were facing the axe yesterday after it was confirmed China would join the Formula One calendar from 2004. Shanghai will host a race at a new £170m facility after agreeing a seven-race deal.At the opening ceremony of the Shang circuit yesterday Max Mosley, president of the sport’s governing body, FIA, said: “Formula One is the biggest annual global sporting event and it has been my ambition since becoming FIA president, that Formula One should have a home in the world’s largest nation.”Bahrain will also host a grand prix in 2004 for the first time and the two new races will see Formula One expanding globally at the expense of its European heartland Currently, 11 of the 17 races are held in Europe. Belgium, Austria and Imola in Italy, which hosts the San Marino Grand Prix, are understood to be the tracks most at risk. Next year’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps will only take place if the teams agree to run without tobacco advertising following a dispute over a local law. If the race does not go ahead it is unlikely it would return to the calendar in 2004 despite its traditions, leaving one other track facing the axe.Teams did discuss a plan in Italy last September to increase the size of the championship to 18 races, but several are opposed to the idea on cost grounds – each race costs them around £650,000 – while others would prefer an extra race, but less testing..

The Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams just missed out on pole position at Phillip Island, Australia, yesterday. McWilliams had been battling with the home favourite Garry McCoy’s Red Bull Yamaha for top place throughout the session before Alex Barros restored four-stroke pride aboard the West Honda. Barros will defend provisional pole with McCoy claiming the second fastest time, a fraction clear of McWilliams.In the 250cc class Earl Shilton-born Jason Vincent led the British challenge in 17th while Cibertel Honda team-mate Leon Haslam, from Derby, was 20th. The Welsh teenager Chaz Davies took his Meteoni Aprilia to 27th in the 125cc category.. Robbie Paul and Tevita Vaikona still do not know whether they will be playing for club or country next week.