No show by Arrows points to trouble for Pollack

CRAIG POLLOCK believes Arrows’ no-show at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix has created ‘‘a huge complication’’ with regard his hopes of buying the financially-stricken team.

Arrows chose to pull out of the race under advice from their lawyers due to ongoing talks with potential investors, which include the former British American Racing boss who is fronting a North American takeover.

In a statement from the team earlier this week, Arrows were informed ''to do nothing that could interfere with these discussions'', resulting in the transporters which had crossed the Channel en route to Budapest being forced to turn back on Monday.

Pollock, who remains a BAR shareholder and is manager to Jacques Villeneuve, reckons such a decision has proved more of a hindrance than a help as he battles with drinks giants Red Bull and a Middle East consortium for the right to take charge.

Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw is citing force majeure an unavoidable obstruction to competition as the reason behind the fact they are not at the Hungaroring.

''At one stage I said I was 80% confident, but today it's difficult to say because there are many complications,'' stated Pollock on his chances.

''I would like to think we are ahead, although you never know, but I think it (the deal) has to be done pretty fast because the team is not in the paddock and not being in the paddock is a huge complication.

''The complication is you are in breach of your agreements with all the other teams and definitely there would be a fine from the promoter, which you are allowed in the case of force majeur, which is what they are calling it.

''If you are buying anything in this paddock you want to have the absolute agreement of the sport, and key people in the sport, that we have a team that is entering the championship in the next year.''

Pollock is hoping a deal can be struck prior to the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa in a fortnight's time, otherwise Arrows will continue to lose face should they again choose to pull out.

''Something has to be sorted,'' added a concerned Pollock.

''In theory, you can have two races where you do not participate and you pay the promoter a fine, that is my understanding as it stands, but I don't think it would be a very clever thing to do because I think you would lose the support of the paddock.

''On the other hand, I think it is extremely important for the sport that you don't go down to 10 teams.

''That would be bad and if you then lose another team you are down to nine teams, eighteen cars, and you are losing a lot of the show, and losing potential investors.

''You are also losing potential investors coming into the sport. You have sponsors who want to come in for stability and what we have been trying to do as team owners is get stability into the sport.''

Arrows are in further trouble with engine suppliers Cosworth as Niki Lauda, head of Ford's Performance Division, today revealed they missed their latest payment deadline.

He has warned Arrows he will now be chasing them for every penny they owe, stating: ''They have not paid for this race.

''Wednesday was the deadline, which we'd agreed, but the money did not come.

''We have looked into all legal aspects of it, and a decision will be made Monday, but we have to fight for the money because it is an existing contract. You can't ask for supply and not pay.''

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis believes a pragmatic approach will be applied, rather than any form of punishment being imposed on Arrows, which are wide ranging.

''I think the important thing for Arrows to maintain its value is to stay out of liquidation,'' explained Dennis.

''If that's the case, then I think it's a question of the teams and the governing body - more the latter - taking a pragmatic view on some of the regulatory aspects that determine whether a team has to pay a fine or not.

''There are automatic mechanisms, but there is the power within the FIA, and certainly with the teams to waive those.

''I think in this instance most teams would be supportive of anything that would keep another grand prix team involved.''

It means only 10 teams will compete this weekend, but again it seems as if no-one will be able to live with the Ferraris on the evidence of today's practice as Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were considerably quicker than their rivals.