The quote came from an article in the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport with Daniele Audetto, commercial director of TWR. "We will appeal against the FIA's decision and we will ask for the intervention of the (rule making body) F1 commission," the quote read from the article.

In addition, shortly after the entrance list for next year was published, the team released a statement which has taken some time to appear in the media. "Arrows is very surprised at being omitted from the list of entrants for the 2003 FIA Formula 1 World Championship published yesterday," the statement read. "Arrows confirms that it has served notice to the FIA of it's intention to appeal to the appropriate body for a hearing to resolve this issue. Arrows remains committed to securing the future of the team."

Jordan team boss, Eddie Jordan, has come out in support of the Arrows team's plight, saying on the Official Jordan website that he hopes a solution can be found. "I am personally very saddened by this situation, because I have known Tom very well and we have raced against each other at different levels over the years. I am an optimist and if it was my team I would hope that there would be a solution - but I don't know if that is possible."

In the last 24 hours there has been little reaction to the news. Paul Stoddart had made public his own view for there not to be a legal challenge, but so far even he has been quiet. The news has been met with a considerable amount of sceptisism in the popular press, who beleive that the team do not stand any chance of reversing the situation.

It would appear that popular comment, suggesting that the German rescue deal would only go ahead if the team were able to enter the 2003 grid, was right on the button. "It's true that they (the new investors) had not yet paid us but they were waiting to do so after the world championship entry had been confirmed," Audetto continued in the Italian newspaper. The team's only chance now is to get the FIA to see things their way, and while most seem to be panning the move, AllAboutArrows is right behind the team (unsurprisingly).

The way we see it is 'What have they got to lose?' The team are currently without an investor, without an entrance ticket, and without half their staff. How on earth can appealing make the situation any worse?! If you're going to go down, then you may as well do so fighting!

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