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Allan McNish retires from racing

Allan McNish is still a familiar face in the F1 paddock as an FIA steward and TV pundit © Sutton Images

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Three-time Le Mans winner and ex-Toyota Formula One driver Allan McNish has retired from top-level motorsport.

McNish raced one season in Formula One with Toyota in 2002 after a year testing with the team ahead of its debut. By that time he was already a Le Mans 24 Hours winner (in 1998 with Porsche) and had tested with McLaren and Benetton as well as racing in F3000.

When he left Toyota he tested for a year with Renault before returning to sports cars in 2004 with Audi. He raced for the team for 10 consecutive seasons, winning two more Le Mans 24 Hours (2008 and 2013) and three American Le Mans Series (2000, 2006 and 2007).

He retires as the reigning WEC champion alongside team-mates Tom Kristensen and Loic Duval.

"I've had fantastically successful time with Audi and feel it's the right time to step back from Le Mans sports-prototype racing and to look at other opportunities," he said. "As a racing driver it's important to stop [racing] at the right time when I'm still fast and capable of doing the job and the timing feels right after winning Le Mans for a third time this year and claiming the World title.

"This year especially was mega successful, teaming up with Loïc [Duval] for the first time and obviously with long-time co-driver Tom [Kristensen]. We've ticked all of the boxes and I ticked my personal ones too but now the time is right to hand over to the young guys.

"I've won the championships and races I wanted to win and frankly there's no better way to end my Audi sportscar race career than going out as a world champion. My fellow Scot and mentor Jackie Stewart knew when to get into things but also knew when to get out and he has taught me that lesson."

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