Friday March 1st, 2002

Ferrari boss Jean Todt has ruled out providing a revived Prost Formula One team with engines this season.

"We are not going to supply engines for a second (customer) team this year anyway, whoever it is," he told a news conference at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday.

Ferrari provided engines to the Swiss Sauber team and Prost last year and have continued to supply the former. Prost, owned by four times World Champion Alain Prost, confirmed their place on the 2002 grid last year before being placed into liquidation in January when a court-appointed receiver rejected various offers for the team.

Arrows team principal Tom Walkinshaw revealed on Friday that Prost's assets had been bought and that his TWR group would provide engineering backup for the new owners. He suggested that the team could be back in business as early as the next race in Malaysia in two weeks' time, provided the International Automobile Federation (FIA) give the go-ahead.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart, who made a bid for the Prost assets in an effort to prevent the team's return, suggested the new team may be forced to use old engines to make it onto the grid.

"I think you might find a 1999 Arrows TWR engine in the back of this car if it does turn up in Malaysia," said Stoddart.

Rumours currently circulating the paddock are that the team may become a Renault junior team, or that the consortium is being backed by car manufacturer Skoda. But Formula One team boss Frank Williams is sceptical that the team could make it onto the grid at all this season.

"I am not familiar with every line in the Concorde Agreement," said Williams. "But I think (Ferrari boss) Jean (Todt) said a few minutes ago he didn't understand how it could be brought back into Formula One this year, and I am sure that is correct."

Published at 07:48:10 GMT