Salo considering options

After being dropped by Toyota earlier this year, Mika Salo's immediate reaction was to announce he was quitting Formula One. However, the Finn is now considering future options, including a possible testing role with Renault. 2002 Renault test ...

After being dropped by Toyota earlier this year, Mika Salo's immediate reaction was to announce he was quitting Formula One. However, the Finn is now considering future options, including a possible testing role with Renault. 2002 Renault test driver Fernando Alonso will be in a race seat for the team next year and boss Flavio Briatore is interested in Salo filling the testing vacancy.

Mika Salo.

Photo by Toyota Racing.

"I've been talking to Renault about a testing role, and it seems that Flavio Briatore wants me there," Salo said in F1 Racing magazine. There are other possibilities for him as well; moving to a US racing series is something Salo is contemplating, although racing on an oval is a slightly daunting prospect as he's not done it before.

"There are a lot of options in IRL and ChampCar too, so I'll have to make my mind up whether I want to race or test," he commented. "I'm a bit apprehensive about racing on an oval because I have never done it before and I don't know what to expect. I need to decide what's important for me. Do I want more money? Do I want the joy of racing? Do I just want to test? I have options for everything."

Drivers in F1 and American racing series have been exchanging seats quite often recently. Salo's ex-Toyota team mate Allan McNish tested for Penske for IRL, Alex Yoong is considering CART and former Jaguar test driver Andre Lotterer is to compete in the last CART race of this season in Mexico. ToyotaF1 recently signed 2002 CART champion Christiano da Matta for next year and have tested Helio Castroneves.