Shock parting of ways for Neal and Peugeot

Two of the three 406 Coupes in the series are funded by Peugeot Sport UK, but the third requires outside finance and a late withdrawal of a major sponsor has left the team short of cash.

"I'm extremely disappointed both for Matt and for the team," said Peugeot Sport UK boss Mick Linford. "There was an element if his contract that was dependent on a final sponsor. We knew that and he knew that. We thought that, at this late stage, there wouldn't be a problem, but these things have a habit of coming back to bite you."

Neal showed well during winter testing, matching the times of team mates Steve Soper and Dan Eaves. But it remains unclear why the former multiple BTCC Independents' Cup champion and crowd favourite lost out over the other two.

"I think they had enough money to run me for some of the season," Neal told Autosport.com, "but I wanted commitment for the whole year, otherwise I didn't think it was fair.

"I feel upset because I thought I was doing a good job and I'm disappointed. I wish the team well and there's no bad blood. I don't think I made any wrong decisions and I played it by the book, but I'm still out of a drive."

Possible replacements to take over Neal's seat remain unknown, but candidates will have to bring money to the team unless another sponsor is found within the near future.

"If somebody acceptable has got the right amount of money then I'll consider them," said Linford, "but I'd prefer to pick and choose who I want. I don't want to waste anybody's time. We want to get three cars out there, but it won't happen until we get further down the line with subsequent sponsors."

Despite his disappointment, Neal has other options to pursue, but has yet to finalise any deals. The 34-year-old is competing in his Team Dynamics-run Nissan Primera in a one-off European Touring Car Championship race next Tuesday at Magny-Cours.

"I've got options elsewhere," he said. "I'd like to have stayed where I was, but I don't want to take a retrograde step. Sometimes it runs with you, sometimes it doesn't. I'm a big boy and I can take this on the chin."