more info on Audi's motorsport plans..

["Jouko Haapanen" <joukoh@vtoy.fi>]

Further info from Autosport:

"O'Connell to lose seat?
Martin O'Connell, top Briton in the British F3 Championship,
may be forced out of the series following the acquisition of the
Anglo-Japanese TOM'S GB team by Audi last week.

Although it appears that everthing is as normal at TOM'S in
preparation for the British Grand Prix support race this weekend,
sources have admitted that the German manufacturer's plans
have not yet been made clear.

Links with parent company TOM'S Japan and Toyota have
already been severed but TOM'S GB boss Hiroshi Fushida
stressed that the takeover need not spell the end for the F3 team.

'It's down to the drivers, so we have to have a meeting,' he said.
'The drivers pay money and if they are happy it could carry on.'

Following five second places O'Connell currently lies third in the
championship, but his manager Ray Rowan admitted that he is
uncertain about the future. 'In the short term it'll carry on,' he said.
'But when Audi really takes over things might change. It's difficult
to see F3 figuring in Audi's plans long-term.'"
 
more information will be availalable next week after the British GP, or at
Silverstone...

Jouko Haapanen