McNish's place under threat
Jenson Button will soon know where his Formula One future lies - and that could spell bad news for fellow Brit Allan McNish.
The 22-year-old revealed yesterday where he will be driving in 2003 should be known in the next few days.
Button is being replaced at Renault next season by the French team’s current test driver Fernando Alonso.
Sauber and Toyota are being touted as his potential new bosses and if he goes to either then Scottish rookie McNish is likely to lose out.
Button will be a straight replacement for McNish if he joins Toyota after two years on loan to Renault from Williams.
But even if he joins Swiss-based Sauber it is likely to be as replacement for Germany’s Nick Heidfeld who would then almost certainly be moving to Toyota to partner Mika Salo, who has a firm contract for next season.
‘‘My mind is made up and it is towards one team,’’ said Button yesterday, as he prepared for Sunday’s French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours.
‘‘The speculation will be over in the next few days and after this weekend definitely. Wherever I am next year it is going to be positive for me. There have been lots of options out there for me.’’
Button added that his next destination should definitely be revealed before the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on Sunday week.
Sources at Toyota have also said they are considering announcing their line-up at Hockenheim in what is, in effect, the Japanese car giant’s home race as their F1 operation is based in Cologne.
‘‘The decision is not just about getting the best car for next year but for the long-term future as well,’’ added Button, who is losing his seat at Renault as much for commercial reasons as for displays on the track.
‘‘It is very important for me to be with a team that is moving forward and has good people on board and who I know are going to do a good job.’’
Button has also been linked with Jaguar Racing and British American Racing since his departure from Renault - despite his excellent displays in scoring 10 of the team’s 14 points this season - was first revealed last month.
McNish has yet to score a point in his rookie season but has hardly put a foot wrong, though it appears that might not be enough for the 32-year-old to keep his drive having waited 10 years for his grand prix debut.
But he dismissed all the speculation yesterday saying: ‘‘It’s as distracting as you let it be.
‘‘There are always rumours at this time of year but that is a fact of life.’’
