Arrows signs Bernoldi; de la Rosa out in the cold

The announcement leaves Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa out in the cold, with a seat at the back-of-the-grid European Minardi team his only real chance of remaining in F1.

The news of Bernoldi's signing comes after talks between Arrows and de la Rosa's main sponsor, Spanish oil company Repsol-YPF, had apparently broken down. Sources in Spain say that Repsol had reduced its budget for 2001 and that the two parties had also failed to agree on size and position of logos.

Bernoldi, who is backed by energy drink manufacturer Red Bull, was Sauber's test driver last year, but was passed over for a 2001 race seat in favour of Kimi Raikkonen. He had tested for Prost before Christmas and had been linked to a Minardi drive, but then drove for Arrows in Barcelona for two days earlier this week.

The 22-year-old was runner-up in the 1998 British Formula 3 Championship and switched to Formula 3000 in 1999. He was quick but unlucky in his two seasons in the series, failing to win a race and finishing only 15th overall in the 2000 standings.

Arrows had been expected to announce an unchanged line-up as early as last September's United States Grand Prix, and despite contractual negotiations dragging on through the winter, de la Rosa had expressed confidence that he would be staying with the team for a third time as recently as January's Autosport International show. Dutchman Verstappen stays with the team for a second consecutive season.

Commenting on today's decision, Arrows team principal Tom Walkinshaw said: "We are pleased with our line-up for 2001. We have a strong, experienced driver in Jos and some young blood with Enrique. It should prove to be an interesting combination. We have been pleased with the feedback and maturity shown by Enrique when testing the car so far and look forward to watching him develop as an F1 driver."

"We would like to thank Pedro for the 100% commitment he has shown to the team in the last two seasons," he added, "and we wish him well for the future."

Last year, de la Rosa out-qualified Verstappen in 12 out of 17 GPs, but was out-scored by five points to one in the races themselves after missing out on a potential podium finish at the Austrian GP with gearbox failure.

He is now tipped to take his Repsol sponsorship to the European Minardi F1 team, where he could be lining up alongside another Spaniard, Formula 3000 sensation Fernando Alonso.

New Minardi boss Paul Stoddart yesterday promised a surprise driver line-up for 2001, saying he would be signing an experienced Grand Prix driver alongside a newcomer - de la Rosa and Alonso would appear to fit the bill.