Arrows Warned Not to Repeat French Farce

Arrows risk heavy sanctions if the Formula One team fail to make a serious attempt to enter Sunday's German Grand Prix, FIA sources said on Wednesday.

"If Arrows try to do what they did in France again at Hockenheim then the race director is very likely to prepare a report for the stewards," said one source close to the governing International Automobile Federation.

"Then it is a matter for them (the stewards) to solve. They are entirely independent to us and will come up with their own conclusions, which could range from a simple reprimand to total exclusion from the Championship."

The team, whose survival is hanging in the balance as they try to secure new investment, have said they will make every effort to complete the weekend in Germany.

The team missed Friday's free practice at Magny-Cours, the second race in a row that they had been absent on the first day of action, and then failed to qualify after a half-hearted appearance.

Article 151c in particular lists as a breach of the rules "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally".

Each Arrows driver used just three of his 12 allocated laps in qualifying at Magny-Cours - one timed 'fast' lap with a warm-up and slowing down run. Data showed that both cars slowed in the final sector after setting competitive times in the other two.

Legal Opinions

An observers' report was mooted after the French Grand Prix for lawyers to determine whether Arrows had participated under the terms of the secretive Concorde Agreement between the 11 teams and Formula One powers.

However, the lack of time for considered legal opinions between France and Germany, back-to-back races ahead of a brief summer break, appeared to have favoured recourse to the sporting regulations.

The team pulled off an 11th hour escape act at the British Grand Prix this month when principal Tom Walkinshaw paid for their Cosworth engines out of his own pocket.

Arrows were up to date on payments at the French Grand Prix and had a Wednesday deadline for Germany. Sources at Cosworth could not immediately confirm payment but said there was no reason to suppose it had not been made.

The Prost Formula One team have already gone out of business this year, before the start of the season, and Arrows and Minardi have both been struggling this year as economic recession bites.

Last Sunday's French Grand Prix started with just 18 cars after Arrows failed to qualify, Jordan's Italian Giancarlo Fisichella was ruled out on medical advice and Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari had technical problems.