Stewart Grand Prix reacted swiftly to suggestions yesterday that it's team may not have the funding to compete in the 1998 World Championship Season
The FIA, in a letter to Stewart Grand Prix asked the team to submit proof that , "it will be in a position to take part in all rounds of the 1998 FIA Formula One World Championship."
The Malaysia Government announced recently that it had terminated it's sponsorship deal with Stewart, and rumours persist that Texaco is seriously evaluating their sponsorship deal with Stewart Grand Prix.
"As Stewart-Ford, in its debut season, scored six points and finished in the top 10 teams in the Constructors' World Championship, we are puzzled, to say the least, that we should have been singled out in this way," Jackie Stewart said.
"Our team has available to it financial resources considerably superior to those which it enjoyed for the 1997 season."
"We have the benefit of a strong and valuable technical partnership with Ford which comprises a works engine contract, as well as other benefits which will defray substantial costs associated with our entry for the 1998 championship."
McLaren has signed a deal with Bridgestone for the 1998 season. They are currently testing at Barcelona. Many other teams are testing there. Williams tried out some new drivers yesterday in order to pick one to become their test driver. Jordan was unable to run at Silverstone due to technical problems.
The FIA published the following list yesterday with the official entries for the 1998 World Championship so far:
1. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) Williams 2. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany) Williams 3. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 4. Eddie Irvine (Britain) Ferrari 5. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Benetton 6. Alexander Wurz (Austria) Benetton 7. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren 8. Mika Hakkinen (Finland) McLaren 9. Damon Hill (Britain) Jordan 10. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Jordan 11. Olivier Panis (France) Prost 12. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Prost 14. Jean Alesi (France) Sauber 15. Johnny Herbert (Britain) Sauber 16. Pedro Diniz (Brazil) Arrows 17. Mika Salo (Finland) Arrows 18. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Stewart 19. Jan Magnussen (Denmark) Stewart To be announced: Tyrrell and Minardi. Note: Drivers may be nominated and/or changed until March 5, 1998.