More team losses still feared

Ian Phillips, Jordan's director of business development, reiterated fears previously expressed by motorsport boss Max Mosley that the field could be depleted further in the next year.

"People have got to start taking the issue of there possibly not being enough cars on the grid in the future pretty seriously," Phillips told The Guardian. "It could drop from 20 to 16 cars by the start of the 2004 season and if something isn't done urgently then I would say there is a fair chance of that happening."

His own Jordan team and Minardi are the two most vulnerable now that Arrows is out of the championship.

But Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has insisted that his team's immediate future is secure. He claims to have between 75 to 80 percent of his budget in place for next year.

Minardi's Cosworth engine supply for 2003 is estimated to cost £13 million. The team has to sign drivers who can bring money, with Briton Justin Wilson a favourite if he can find £2 million.

Jordan has lost main sponsor Deutsche Post for next year, but team boss Eddie Jordan was in bullish mood at Sunday's AUTOSPORT Awards. "I'm at my most dangerous when my back is against the wall," he said.