FIA declines Arrows entry for 2003.

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has today revealed the full entry list for the 2003 World Championship and the big news is that Arrows' request to compete next year has been rejected.

A brief statement by the FIA said: "An application to compete in the 2003 Championship was received from Arrows Grand Prix International, but was declined for reasons which have been communicated to the Arrows team."

Arrows missed six races in total in 2002, although it did 'attempt' to qualify in France, although without much effort - and the outfit also appeared in Belgium, albeit for only the first day before returning to base after advice from its lawyers.

The 'will they race or won't they' saga, which ran from the British GP onwards, was a big embarrassment to the sport and, with the team's future still the subject of much debate, it appears that the FIA has been forced to take action, by refusing admission to the 2003 World Championship.

The rest of the 2003 entry-list contains few surprises and, on the driver front, all but three places remain to be confirmed for next year - one at Jordan, and two seats at Minardi.

As is widely known, the Jordan team has still to confirm a major title sponsor, following the exit of Deutsche Post, which was announced in mid-November, while Minardi's title sponsor has also to be firmed up, hence the omission of KL [Kuala Lumpur].

The full 2003 entry list is below...

2003 FIA Formula One World Championship entry list:

1. Michael Schumacher Germany Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
2. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro

3. Juan Pablo Montoya Colombia BMW WilliamsF1
4. Ralf Schumacher Germany BMW WilliamsF1

5. David Coulthard Britain West McLaren-Mercedes
6. Kimi Raikkonen Finland West McLaren-Mercedes

7. Jarno Trulli Italy Mild Seven Renault F1 Team
8. Fernando Alonso Spain Mild Seven Renault F1 Team

9. Nick Heidfeld Germany Sauber Petronas
10. Heinz-Harald Frentzen Germany Sauber Petronas

11. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Jordan Ford
12. TBA TBA Jordan Ford

14. Mark Webber Australia Jaguar Racing Cosworth
15. Antonio Pizzonia Brazil Jaguar Racing Cosworth

16. Jacques Villeneuve Canada Lucky Strike BAR Honda
17. Jenson Button Britain Lucky Strike BAR Honda

18. TBA TBA Minardi Cosworth
19. TBA TBA Minardi Cosworth

20. Olivier Panis France Panasonic Toyota Racing
21. Cristiano da Matta Brazil Panasonic Toyota Racing

# Names of drivers are subject to the granting of a Super Licence and to the agreement of the Contract Recognition Board.

In accordance with Article 60 of the 2003 Formula One Sporting Regulations, drivers may be nominated and/or changed until 16.00 hrs on 6 March 2003.