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This week's Grapevine brings you
information fresh from the paddock on:
- Arrows Talk to Lambo
- Prost Talk to Peugeot
- Toyota Talk to Minardi
- Villeneuve Eyes $10M Prize
- Picked from the Bunch
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Arrows Talk to Lambo
During the San Marino Grand Prix weekend, Atlas F1 News reported that Arrows and Lamborghini may do a surprise deal which will see the now VW owned Italian manufacturer supply engines to the Formula One team. Since then, Arrows were suspiciously unwilling to confirm or deny this story, adding mystery to what exactly stands behind it.
Sources indicate that the team's marketing department has been to see VW, and are likely to announce a deal with Lamborghini using the T-minus branding on one of their cars. Whether this ties in with the options enumerated below is unknown at this time.
 Another source indicated that something is going on with Lamborghini, but refused to confirm what it was about. They indicated that there is currently some indecision on the future course of action, and details are being hammered out. Judging by the rumours in San Marino, the options being evaluated include Lamborghini:
- providing engines from 2002, developing a new unit
- badging the current Hart engine and fund further developments
- badging a Supertec engine whilst awaiting Renault's return to Formula One
- badging a Supertec engine for 2000, developing the Hart plant, then running it from 2001
The number of options indicate there's a lot more going on that is unsaid - and there is strong indication that everything is revolving around a performance clause, believed to require Arrows scoring 10 World Championship points this year. Evidently, although VW wants to get into Formula One, they are intending only to compete at the front.
Looking at the information available, it seems most likely there will be a marketing tie up between Arrows and Lamborghini; the chances of an engine deal are finite, but slim. Particularly as it seems likely there will be a Supertec plant available for purchase next year.
Prost Talk to Peugeot
Alain Prost is reported to be unhappy with the Engine supplied by Peugeot for this year.
On announcing his three year plan to the top, the Frenchman believed that the engine manufacturer would be able to supply a competitive engine during the course of the year. The team started the season with an evolution from last years' engine, on the understanding an all new plant would be coming this year, that should be stronger and lighter than the original plant.
 Peugeot signed a three year deal with the Prost team and is apparently still intending to build a new unit, but not until next year. The Prost team is concerned that its plans will be thrown, as the engine would then be in the same position next year, as the Ford unit this year, and a year of development would be wasted sorting the reliability requirements.
Having been seen talking to Honda, the Peugeot board is concerned that their investment in the Engine program could be for nought - if Prost changes manufacturer - and is understandably upset at the apparent lack of faith displayed by team. They have one of the best reliability records of all the engine manufacturers (one of the reasons their engines weigh so much), and believe their course the right one.
Team owner Alain Prost has said: "All I'm interested in is the future. We have to do our best with what we have this year. To be competitive, it is an absolute necessity to have a mini engine." The head of Peugeot's sports division, Corrado Provera, responded by saying, "We have the best of the old generation engines - only Ford and Mercedes have new generation engines."
The rhetoric is clearly just that. Jordan's V10 Mugen-Honda unit is equivalent to the Peugeot, but smaller and lighter. Ferrari's engine is certainly not "old hat", and only the customer units (Supertec, Ford and Petronas) develop less power and weigh more.
From Alain's point of view, the new Peugeot engine - currently due to be tested in a car for the first time in September - cannot come soon enough.
 Toyota Talk to Minardi
Roger Penske confirmed Toyota's plan to buy out Minardi. Penske, CART team owner and track owner amongst others, also owns a couple of Toyota dealerships in the west USA. Earlier this week he has confirmed that negotiations are taking place between the Japanese car manufacturer and the 'other' Italian team. "I expect that the deal will soon be finalized," said Penske. "The arrival of Toyota will for sure be positive to Formula One."
Penske, incidentally, recently sold a large share of his USA racing assets, not to mention his surprise merger with the Indianapolis Speedway Corporation. The fact that he went on the record to announce the Minardi-Toyota deal might indicate that he himself is somehow involved in this deal, though in what capacity is unknown.
Further report appears on Atlas F1 News Service
Villeneuve Eyes $10M Prize
Jacques Villeneuve, 1995 PPG Cup champion, has made it clear that he would like to run at the proposed $10 million Hawaiian Super Prix. The invitational event is open to 16 drivers. Drivers who finish in the top 12 in the CART points race will automatically be invited to the event. An additional four spots will also be open to invited drivers.
It is speculated that former champions like Villeneuve and Alex Zanardi may receive invitations to the event. That is, if the event is even held. There is also strong speculation that the event is much to ambitious and that CART will not be able to must the money or the support to hold the race. CART officials insist that the Super Prix will be held, but many question this since it depends on a large pay-per-view audience to be successful.
Picked from the Bunch
Eddie Irvine's departure from Ferrari has featured strongly over the last week, with news of several drivers approached by Ferrari. Officially, however, his seat is in no danger.
 Stewart and Jordan are both looking to make the most of their strong starts to the season, and capitalise on the Supertec runners misfortunes. Both teams have parts in the pipeline for Spain.
Mercedes' Formula One top man, Norbert Haug has criticised David Coulthard for failing to handle backmarkers at the San Marino Grand Prix effectively. Mika Hakkinen, on the other hand, has been praised for his efforts, with the claim that "if you don't make mistakes, you are not trying hard enough."
Is Moore on his way to Formula One? Column writer Dan ProudFoot of the Toronto Sun has indicated that CART driver Greg Moore could be exploring the possibility of a Formula One drive, utilising his Mercedes contacts to move to McLaren, replacing David Coulthard. Moore himself joked that a move to NASCAR might be fun.
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The Grapevine