Grapevine: Verstappen Could Spell the End of Arrows

Jos Verstappen, who was fired from Arrows at the end of the 2001 season, could be the man to bring down Tom Walkinshaw's team, as he prepares to file for a winding-up order on the team.

The sound of horns from the Arrows Grand Prix transporters resounded through the damp night air at 10:00pm on Friday evening at Spa, as they left the Formula One circus under the claim that there was too much paperwork to complete a sale to race this weekend. This, after the team announced Heads of Agreement had already been signed for a take-over deal. But many sceptics believe there is not even a deal in place.

Staff members remained cagey throughout their stay at Spa, with very few discussing the still perilous situation while 'no comment' was the only comment from team officials.

Tom Walkinshaw was only briefly sighted, around midday on Thursday, and he escaped without questioning after his failed attempt allow things to go ahead 'as normal'.

Despite continued claims of a deal, however, it is understood that the team's on-going battle with Morgan Grenfell has been adjourned until October - and that would leave the team unable to introduce any new investors until that time.

It has also been confirmed that Verstappen, with another party believed to be a recruitment agency, will bring a winding-up order (and instruction from the court to stop the operation of the company) on the team on September 10th - before the next race in Italy.

So no matter how much the sport's governing body, the FIA, and the team bosses up and down the grid try to help the floundering outfit, the Dutch driver's court order could spell the end within two weeks.