F1: Phoenix claim they have rights

Britain’s planned new Formula One team insisted today that it did have the right to compete in the 2002 Formula One World Championship.

Phoenix Finance Limited released a letter from the French liquidators of the defunct Prost team to Max Mosley, president of the world governing body, FIA, claiming it proved they had bought an entry into the championship along with other assets.

FIA had said earlier in this week that Phoenix - which turned up in Malaysia for Sunday’s race with two 2001-spec Prost chassis - had not bought a right to enter the championship in its £2.5m (€4m) purchase of the Prost assets.

‘‘I have read the communique from the FIA which is blocking Phoenix from participating in the Malaysian Grand Prix and it seems that the legal advice which they have received is seriously flawed,’’ said British businessman Charles Nickerson, managing director of Phoenix Finance Ltd in a statement today.

‘‘Either the FIA’s advisors have misunderstood the judgement of the French Court or were not in possession of all the information when they gave their advice.’’

Nickerson, who is not in Kuala Lumpur, added: ‘‘We are sorry that we have been blocked from participating in the 2002 Malaysian Grand Prix.

‘‘Phoenix intends to redress this situation and to take up its rightful position on the starting grid as soon as possible.’’