MARCH 27, 1995

Arrows to hire Max Papis

The Arrows team is shortly expected to name Italian Formula 3000 driver Max Papis as its test driver. Papis and his new manager, former Lotus team boss Peter Collins, visited the Arrows factory last week to discuss a deal which will involve Papis's sponsors putting some money into the insufficient Arrows budget.

Financial problems have dogged the team since Japanese transport tycoon Wataru Ohashi stopped funding the team two years ago. The team is understood to have lost money for the last two seasons and will probably lose more this year and there are signs that current owners Jackie Oliver and Alan Rees are ready to sell the team, which has a purpose-built factory and an impressive windtunnel facility in Milton Keynes, England.

If the team does go onto the market, there is not likely to be a shortage of takers - although the price will probably be quite high. Amongst those likely to show interest are Ohashi, his Footwork company now flourishing again after the financial problems which forced him to end his relationship with Arrows.

Another potential buyer is Japanese racing team Supernova, run by English ex-driver David Sears.