AUGUST 2, 2000

Arrows deny Junqueira link

Arrows have denied reports of an imminent swoop for Brazilian Bruno Junqueira - but refused to rule out a move for the Formula 3000 driver in the future.

Junqueira, who is test driver for BMW-Williams having missed out on a drive this season in a shoot-out with Briton Jenson Button, has been cast aside in the summer transfer rumors.

The Brazilian met with Arrows team boss Tom Walkinshaw at last weekend's German Grand Prix, but the Leafield-based outfit insist a decision on the driver line-up for next season is still to be made.

"A decision on the driver line-up for next year is totally up to Tom," a spokesperson for the team said.

"Everybody within the team feels that it is still too early to decide because drivers still have a lot of time to stake their claim.

"We don't envisage announcing any driver line-up for another two months at least - and it is up to Tom who the two will be. Bruno Junqueira is a possibility."

The team also denied reports claiming they would sign a deal with Brazilian oil suppliers Petrobras for the 2001 season.

Petrobras, who sponsor Junqueira, currently have an exclusive deal to supply BMW-Williams but Jordan, British American Racing and Arrows have been linked with a switch in suppliers.