Walkinshaw Not Worried about FIA Investigation

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw insisted as he packed up to leave Magny-Cours on Saturday evening that he is not concerned about the FIA investigation into the team's efforts in qualifying.

Neither of the team's two drivers, German Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, managed a time within the 107 percent barrier required to get into Sunday's French Grand Prix and they only did one flying lap each in the qualifying hour.

The FIA are now awaiting an observers' report on the matter, and will decide to take action if that reveals a complaint from the organisers.

But a defiant Walkinshaw told Atlas F1: "That's their problem. They're obviously free to do what they want. There are a whole load of negotiations going on in London and we have got to make sure that we don't do anything that could derail that process because we have got to make sure that we get a successful conclusion."

Before he left the Magny-Cours paddock, the Scottish team owner visited Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, in the silver FIA bus located on the opposite side of the paddock to the Arrows motorhome, but was hoping to make a rapid exit as the team packed up and headed back to England.

Rumours have suggested that there are still problems with payment to engine suppliers Cosworth, who are thought to have an agreement where they are paid $1.5 million by Arrows on the Wednesday before each race for their powerplants.

Walkinshaw refused to comment on when the next payment was due, but insisted: "You don't pay the entire bill for the rest of the season, but we are fully paid up on engines. There is not an engine issue. We are fully paid up."

Negotiations will continue next week over the future of the team, and Walkinshaw will be hoping the FIA decide not to punish their actions this weekend as much as he is hoping to secure a deal for funding before heading to Hockenheim in three day's time.