French Connection - Arrows may import

(15-Jul-98) - Olivier Panis could drive for Arrows next season if team boss
Tom Walkinshaw lines up a Mecachrome engine deal.

Walkinshaw, 51, is rumoured to have a Mecachrome contract in his
possession, but only has until the end of this week to decide whether to
commit or not.

Arrows has built its own engines this season with the help of privateer
engine tuner Brian Hart but they have failed to match the power of the
Renault-built V10's.

Walkinshaw is said to be unwilling to pay the œ17 million asking price for
a customer engine deal. Rumours say he has asked French fuel giant Elf to
contribute to the cost of the engine in return for offering Prost driver
Panis, an Elf protege, a seat with the team next year.

Walkinshaw is also concerned that Mecachrome will not be able to keep its
engines reliable if it is supplying a fourth team alongside Williams,
Benetton and BAR, which have already signed deals.

If the deal comes off, it is likely Arrows driver Mika Salo would go to
BAR. Pedro Diniz will stay as he provides a significant proportion of
Arrows's budget.

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