Hill: I have nothing to do with US team.

Former world champion Phil Hill has raised doubts over the validity of the American Formula One team announced by former sparring partner Dan Gurney at Indianapolis, by claiming that he knows nothing about the project.

Gurney spoke to journalists during the US GP last weekend, announcing plans to run an all-American F1 team in the world championship, possibly as early as next year. The former F1 driver revealed that he and Hill were close to securing a Cosworth engine deal with Ford and would be using US drivers - but Hill claims he was unaware of the project until the press call, and has nothing to do with the team.

"I hadn't heard a word about it until the story broke," Hill told the media this week, "I don't have anything to do with it at the moment, but I give Dan every good wish I can."

Gurney said that he would know by the middle of this month whether the team was a viable proposition for 2003, and had already spent several years working on the project in secret. The former CART team owner would have little trouble finding a place in the paddock, given that one of the twelve limited places remains free following the collapse of the Prost team last winter, but must first convince F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone of the project's validity.

The Arrows team may also disappear from the grid before 2003, but much speculation continues to surround the possible involvement of Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz in another US-based team.