FPRXR-6

Arrows’ application to race in Formula One next year has been rejected by the FIA, news that could spell the end for Tom Walkinshaw’s team once and for all.

The operation, burdened by legal and financial complications, claimed to have submitted its application to race next year along with a $300,000 deposit last month but the FIA, for reasons not made public, said the entry had not been accepted. This was confirmed when the Governing Body published its official entry list for the 2003 series today.

It could be that this is the FIA’s punishment for Arrows’ antics last year that saw it miss the final five races of the year. Failing to appear at races is grounds for heavy punishment under the terms of the Concorde Agreement, F1’s secret commercial contract that all teams sign as part of competing.

Not having official entry in the Championship will likely cut the links Arrows had established recently over a new deal to buy-into the team. It was confirmed there was German and Middle Eastern investors in talks with the squad about acquiring a significant stake, which would have generated vital cash flow.

Should investors press on with their plans, the team would need to be re-entered into the Championship which would mean it would be classed as a new entrant and be required to pay a $48 million repayable bond.

The absence of Arrows next year will mean there will be 10 teams on the grid:

SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO
1 Michael SCHUMACHER (D)
2 Rubens BARRICHELLO (BR)

BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM
3 Juan Pablo MONTOYA (CO)
4 Ralf SCHUMACHER (D)

WEST McLAREN MERCEDES
5 David COULTHARD (GB)
6 Kimi RAIKKONEN (FIN)

MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM
7 Jarno TRULLI (I)
8 Fernando ALONSO (E)

SAUBER PETRONAS
9 Nick HEIDFELD (D)
10 Heinz-Harald FRENTZEN (D)

****** FORD
11 Giancarlo FISICHELLA (I)
12 TBA

JAGUAR RACING
14 Mark WEBBER (AUS)
15 Antonio PIZZONIA (BR)

LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA
16 Jacques VILLENEUVE (CDN)
17 Jenson BUTTON (GB)

TBA MINARDI COSWORTH
18 TBA
19 TBA

PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING
20 Olivier PANIS (F)
21 Cristiano DA MATTA (BR)

__________________
Blood Orange XR6 Turbo - Auto, Premium sound, Lowered, FPV GT Wheels, Tint, Alarm