Friday March 15th, 2002

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw confirmed on Friday that Phoenix Finance had transferred their ex-Prost Grand Prix cars to Malaysia, where, sources say, they are held in customs at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Phoenix, represented by British farmer and businessman Charles Nickerson, had hoped to take part in the event, but had their application rejected by the FIA on Tuesday.

"The cars are here and all the equipment is here," admitted Walkinshaw, who has been providing the engineering support for the proposed team, during a brief interview at the Sepang circuit on Friday afternoon.

Walkinshaw said also that Phoenix will continue to discuss their desire to enter the Championship with the the sport's ruling body, the FIA, but he would not comment on the likelihood of the cars being taken to Brazil for the third race of the season on March 31st.

"I am sure they will be in dialogue with the FIA over the next week," he said. "I do not know what they are doing, but I am sure they are sorting it out in Europe. It is up to them."

It was claimed that Phoenix had bought the rights to enter the World Championship from the liquidators of the bankrupt Prost team before the season began with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne two weeks ago.

Published at 06:08:17 GMT