Bernoldi tests as Arrows delays over drivers.

Enrique Bernoldi may have become the latest name on Arrows' shopping list this winter, following some solid testing performances in Spain over the weekend.

The Brazilian, ousted from a possible Sauber drive by the arrival of Frenault standout Kimi Raikkonen, has since been touted to land a drive at either Prost or Minardi, but then appeared in the surprise role of tester with Arrows in Barcelona over the past few days.

While an opening at Minardi remains a possibility for the financed bernoldi, he has also been moved into the frame at the Leafield team, which has repeatedly failed to announce its line-up for 2001. Widely expected to re-sign both Pedro de la Rosa and Jos Verstappen, having tested both men in a revised, AMT-powered, A21 over the winter, the waiting game goes on, and does not bode well for either of the men who brought the team 'most improved' status in 2000.

Verstappen was slated to drive at Barcelona when Bernoldi first appeared on the weekend, and must be considered the most likely victim of the Brazilian's late push for a place on the grid. The former Benetton, Simtek and Stewart pilot was understood to have landed a place at Arrows last year courtesy, in part, to the number of Dutch sponsors that the team attracted but, with some of these now deciding to back out of their deals, his tenure may now be more tenuous.

de la Rosa comes complete with Repsol backing and, despite having been connected with a seat at Prost towards the end of last season, is more likely to stay put at Leafield. Indeed, such is his own confidence that the Spaniard has repeatedly told the press that, while nothing concrete had been signed, it was probable that the team would remain unchanged for 2001.

Bernoldi joins a list that has already featured, however flimsily, Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Gaston Mazzacane, Jean Alesi and Marc Gene in recent months.

The Brazilian completed another 45 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya yesterday [Monday], running on both wet and dry tyres as the weather improved and the track surface dried. Essentially charged with evaluating parts destined for the new A22 in the coming season, Bernoldi set fifth fastest time of the day.