By Huw Alban
July 12 2002

F1.on.net is so far the only F1 news site to speculate on the issue, and this site admits that it did think the same, for a time. F1.on.net says that it has access to rumours that Sébastien Bourdais will sign for Arrows as a test driver for the rest of 2002, bringing much needed cash to the team.

The Frenchman currently leads the F3000 Championship for the Super Nova team, and had his first taste of Formula 1 with the Arrows team yesterday afternoon at the Valência test. According to F1.on.net, Bourdais receives substantial backing from the FFSA (Fédération Française de Sport Automobile), and thinks that this may be a major factor in the team’s interest in him.

When news of the Valência test with Bourdais first broke, this site didn’t really consider that it would affect the current season for the team. The first thoughts were that the team were evaluating for 2003, giving this site some confidence that Arrows were planning ahead, despite the uncertainty regarding future finances. Whilst a move by the team to recruit a test driver was considered for a time, it was thought unlikely considering what has happened recently. Then again, with the team confident that their money troubles will be resolved before the French Grand Prix, what a fitting venue the Magny-Cours circuit would be to announce the new financial deal for the team which includes the signing of a French test driver.

Bear in mind that, at the moment, this is pure speculation on the part of F1.on.net and that there is no official comment or quote from the team at this time.