Grapevine: More News from the Paddock - Hungarian GP

Force Majeur?

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw's claims of 'force majeur' after failing to turn up for the Hungarian Grand Prix have failed to make an impact on one rival team owner, who believes the team's absence will lead to their ultimate extinction at worst, or at least lead them to lose their benefits from the Concorde Agreement. Prost Grand Prix proved earlier this year that it is still possible for Formula One teams to go bust and the team boss, who wished to remain nameless, believes there are no grounds for Arrows' claims that they are not operating under insolvency. Currently unconfirmed rumours have suggested that the staff have not been paid for July, and the definition of insolvency, the team owner claimed, is when a team cannot pay their bills in a normal manner.

Trouble in Town

After Brazil showed few signs of danger this season, the Formula One paddock thought they had got away with a worry-free year. But, in Hungary, concerns of danger resurfaced with an incident in the centre of Budapest on Thursday evening. The city is no stranger to car crime, but one journalist was astonished to find his brand new German registered car had vanished whilst he was in the restaurant. But that was not the first in-town incident to occur that evening. Earlier on, a journalist departing late from the circuit became increasingly frustrated at losing his way in downtown Budapest and attempted an illegal u-turn to get out of the sticky situation. The police were hot on his tail but, when flagged down, the happy hack was able to pay up and go with an on-the-spot fine.

Fine Time

Briton Anthony Davidson was quick off the mark on his Grand Prix debut - literally. He left the pitlane at a speed of 63.6km/h just 13 seconds into his first ever Grand Prix practice session and immediately cost the team precious cash after his speed was deemed to have exceeded the limit. While the previously mentioned journalist got away with a $20 fine in the centre of Budapest, however, Davidson did not get away so lightly and the FIA hit him with a bill for $1,000. But the Briton made up for his early mistake with an impressive performance in the practice session which saw him slow down in the pitlane and speed up on the track.

Models at the BAR

British American Racing sponsors Brunotti put on a treat for paddock regulars and guests with a photoshoot and display of their latest fashions in the team's garage and motorhome. In what seems to have become a traditional Formula One showcase for their latest designs, the clothing company showed off the new range and also paraded a new line in British American Racing swimwear. The 'team cool' image of BAR is aligned perfectly to the stylish new range, but female fans were disappointed that drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis did not turn up to model the new items in the Hungaroring paddock.