Arrows Will Not Go to Indianapolis

The cash-strapped Arrows Grand Prix team will not compete in next weekend's United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, their engine suppliers Cosworth confirmed on Friday.

Arrows have not competed in an event since the German Grand Prix in July, missing both the Hungarian and Italian races and turning back from Belgium after failing to get on track.

They now look almost certain to miss the remaining two races of the season, and Brendan Connor, the CEO of engine suppliers Cosworth, said: "We have been advised by Arrows that it is not their intention to race at Indianapolis.

"It was their decision and not due to pressure from us. The situation between us and them remains the same and they have not yet said anything about plans for the Japanese Grand Prix."

Cosworth, who also supply engines to Jaguar Racing, will send engineers to work on the Milton Keynes-based team's R3 cars but have not been requested to supply staff for Arrows.

The Northampton-based company is owed around $2.7 million (dollars) by Arrows, who have a long list of creditors awaiting payment. The discussions will continue when court proceedings, which were adjourned earlier this month, recommence.

Arrows claimed to have signed Heads of Agreement with a mystery millionaire American buyer prior to the Belgian Grand Prix and the company still insists that the deal is developing.

"We do not have any more news but things are still progressing we are still working hard. We are having meetings all the time and things are moving on," said a team spokesman, speaking from a meeting at their Leafield factory.

All the team's staff have been told to remain at home while the deal is discussed and other than members involved in the discussions the factory remains unoccupied.

A source close to the team said, however, that the staff remain contracted to Arrows Grand Prix and are still being paid. They have not been made redundant and are waiting on the next move.