Enge returns to F3000 with Arden

Enge competed in three grands prix last year after filling in at Prost for the injured Luciano Burti and despite missing the last round of the season, the Czech still managed to finish equal second in the F3000 championship.

But with the financially struggling Prost team still unsure about its future, Enge has decided to return to the F1 feeder series in order to finish the job he started last year.

Arden team boss Christian Horner admits that it will be a step back for Enge, but he is confident that the Banbury-based team can take advantage of the 25-year-old's talent in order to move forward.

"We've come to a decision over the last 24 hours and we've decided to go with a driver who has won races and has a proven track record," said Horner. "It's a risk for Thomas coming back from Formula 1, but we're confident it will be right for him."

Announced at AUTOSPORT International on Thursday, Enge's signing leaves Manning on the sidelines for this year. Despite the fact that the Brit has an F1 testing contract for 2002 with British American Racing, he was hoping to continue with Arden for a third consecutive season.

After two seasons without a win, Horner is thought to have grown frustrated and is keen to move forward this year.

"For us it's a critical season," he said. "We didn't win races last year when we should have done and it's important to move forward in 2002."