Friday March 31st, 2000

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw expects to see his drivers on the Formula One podium soon and would not be too surprised if the team were to win after years without a victory.

"I think Arrows are on the way up and I'm sure we'll be in the points and on podiums before too long," he said on Friday.

"We were running third at the weekend before (Dutchman) Jos (Verstappen) had cramp in his neck. If we can repeat that performance at Imola and Silverstone we'll be right there," he added.

In Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix Verstappen rose from 14th place on the grid to third before neck pains forced him back to finish eighth and out of the points.

The later disqualification of McLaren's David Coulthard moved him back up to seventh place.

Walkinshaw said he was encouraged by the performance of his team, who have started a record 339 races without a win since 1977 and grabbed just one point last season, in their two races so far this year.

"I think it's the first time (since he became involved) that we've had a clean run at it without having to compromise on anything and I think it's showing well," he said.

Arrows are using Renault-based Supertec engines this season, with a further option for next year, after abandoning attempts to build their own and have also secured a hefty new sponsorship package.