Arrows in trouble over qualifying behaviour?

One lap each
By Huw Alban
July 20 2002

The Arrows team ran for only one qualifying lap today in order to satisfy the requirement to have attempted to qualify and avoid a hefty fine from the FIA. According to pitpass.com the team could still be in trouble with the sport’s authorities.

The news site reports that the infamous Concorde Agreement contains the rules that dictate whether a team has competed or not, but historically it’s contents have always been open to interpretation. FIA observers in France have reportedly sent a report about the actions of the Arrows team to the lawyers of the sport’s governing body.

Pitpass.com reports that Tom Walkinshaw asked permission from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to run one qualifying lap in order to miss a fine. There is also talk that Walkinshaw may have spoken to FIA President Max Mosley, but when pressed he denied any such conversation.

If the governing body’s lawyers do decide that the rules of the Concorde Agreement have been broken then there will be something else for us fans to worry about :o(