MARCH 29, 2001

Toyota return to testing in France

TOYOTA returned to testing at the Circuit Paul Ricard on Wednesday with Briton Allan McNish behind the wheel of the team's Formula One challenger.

Testing was suspended on Sunday when Finn Mika Salo crashed into a wall at the French circuit, but McNish took over on Wednesday and completed a total of eight laps in the afternoon.

"For the first laps in the Formula One car I was very pleased by its feelings and reactions," said McNish, who will continue until Friday.

Salo, who has back pains, has been told to rest for two weeks at his home in Finland before continuing work on the new car.