Arrows will appeal

Arrows will appeal against the sport's governing body to win back its place in the Formula One World Championship.

The Leafield-based outfit, who missed the final five races of last season because of cash problems, were excluded from the entry list for 2003 by the FIA on Monday.

"We will appeal against the FIA's decision, we will ask for the intervention of the F1 Commission," said Daniele Audetto, the commercial director of team owner Tom Walkinshaw's TWR group.

But sources at the governing body insisted after the entry list was published yesterday that the decision was final, seemingly ending the most unsuccessful team in the sport's history. Arrows failed to win a race in 382 attempts.

They have paid the £220,000 entry fee but, if any new team now emerges from Arrows, it will have to pay a £31m bond.