Salo is my benchmark, says McNish.

Toyota driver Allan McNish has admitted that Mika Salo has been his 'benchmark' throughout Toyota's testing programme in 2001.

The 2000 ALMS Prototype champion told Eurosport: "Le Mans was probably the turning point in my career, because winning that event elevated me into a different status in sportscars and ultimately led me to Toyota."

He added: "Mika definitely is a good benchmark. He is an important member of the team from the pace point of view but he also gave me a reference against a current Formula 1 driver."

"I need to learn and develop through 2002, coming out of every race knowing that I have given 100% and covered all the options. If we can ultimately do that as a team than I think that we can come away with some results."