Arrows to close factory and lay off staff?

A silly rumour?
By Huw Alban
September 16 2002

Unfortunately this site is unable to bring you any further news on the progress being made to save the team. The UK TV coverage of the Italian Grand Prix was very quiet on the subject, but still managed to voice opinions on Minardi pinching the Cosworth deal, and what is happening at the factory.

ITV’s Louise Goodman started the ball rolling on Saturday, during the pre-qualifying build up show.

“There’s still no sign of a resolution to Arrows’ ongoing financial problems, and no sign of the cars or the mechanics this weekend either,” she started. “The team has now submitted the written report, but the governing body (the FIA) has subsequently said that it intends to wait until proceedings and negotiations (to sell the team) are concluded before considering any formal action. Those proceedings include a winding up order from a recruitment company, which was heard in the High Court in Leeds last week. The court agreed to postpone the hearing, thereby giving the team a 28 day stay of execution.

“Meanwhile Minardi boss, Paul Stoddart, is believed to be in negotiations with Cosworth to take over Arrows’ supply of engines next season. Things are looking up for the cash strapped Italian team, who have signed a multi-million pound deal with Russian energy supplier Gazprom.”

OK, so there’s not a lot new there, apart from the Cosworth bit. This site always felt that the Cosworth engine deal for Arrows was intact, despite the team’s financial difficulties. This impression was probably helped along by talk of Minardi securing the Ferrari engine deal left open by the demise of Prost Grand Prix. Let’s assume for a moment that Minardi are successful, but that the Ferrari supply deal remains open - Arrows-Ferrari in 2003? Could be, if this American investor is genuine and prepared to take a few risks...

Ted Kravitz continued ITV’s summary of events on Sunday by adding, “Another no-show from Arrows here at Monza has been followed by rumours that the factory is soon to close, and the staff laid off.”

What?! That’s a new one. This site isn’t sure what publications Ted has been reading, but there is certainly no repeat of those kind of rumours on any of the web bound media outlets. Perhaps some of our well informed contributors to the message board can throw some light on that one.

On a slightly lighter note, and still using ITV as a source of information, the TV company’s F1 website has been running a visitor poll. “Should Arrows be thrown out of F1?” it reads. At the time of writing the results are close, but, bearing in mind that the site is likely to attract all walks of Formula 1 fan, this site is delighted to report that the ‘No’ option currently has the majority vote. Perhaps visitors to this site should get over to ITV.com/f1 and help to swing the poll even further!