AUGUST 18, 2000

Salo expected to join Toyota

SAUBER driver Mika Salo is expected to join Toyota next week and take up a test-driving role with the Japanese team next season, before they enter Formula One in 2002.

A Press Conference has been planned in Spa Francorchamps next Thursday night. It is expected to release the news that Salo will partner American Le Mans series driver Allan McNish in a test-driving contract next year that would lead to a race-drive in 2002.

Salo's manager Mike Greasley confirmed that a decision had been made, but he was unable to release the details.

"I can confirm that we have reached a decision, but no contract has been signed yet," he said.

Sauber are keen to keep Finn Salo, and his contract does run with them until the end of 2001. The team had no comment to make on Salo's position within the team next year.