Mateschitz to bid for Arrows ownership.

Drinks magnate Dieter Mateschitz has admitted that he is looking to acquire the Arrows team in order to create a American entry in Formula One.

The Austrian, who has made his fortune on the successful marketing of the Red Bull brand, told Austrian business magazine Format that he is interested in taking control of the Leafield team, on which he claims to already have a option.

Angered by Sauber's failure to hire protege Enrique Bernoldi alongside Nick Heidfeld this season, Mateschitz took the Brazilian to Arrows with Red Bull backing, and threatened to end his relationship with the Swiss team at the end of their contract in 2001. The dissolution of the partnership would not only entail Sauber losing its majority backer, however, as Mateschitz also said that he would be looking to offload his 64 per cent stake in the team. This would then provide the finds to buy a greater stake in Arrows.

Buoyed by the success of Red Bull in the United States, which forms one of the biggest markets for the brand worldwide, Mateschitz has hit on the idea of turning Arrows into an American 'super team' within Formula One, an arena seldom conquered by drivers the Union.

With the Formula One circus having returned, successfully, to the United States in the past two seasons, the next step in increasing its popularity would be to attract some US talent to the series. For this reason, Mateschitz' plan already has the backing of Bernie Ecclestone.

The Austrian is also confident that, with Ford providing similar-spec engines to the works Jaguar team and US sponsors joining Red Bull on the car, American drivers would be attracted to F1, and create a flow of talent to the series. With a lack of interest in grands prix among the countries' leading drivers, however, Mateschitz is aware that he will be touting his team to a pool of younger talent, hinting that a selection process was already underway.

Although no timescale has yet been placed on the project, Mateschitz' dream could have unpleasant repercussions for both Arrows' current drivers. Ironically, it is hi own protege, Bernoldi, who is most at risk, for partner Jos Verstappen has already been signed for 2002. Although F1 contracts mean little in the current climate, Verstappen's management insists that he will be with the team next year, but Bernoldi remains under threat, despite regularly out-qualifying his Dutch team-mate in his debut year.

"I can assure you that, as long as we do not hear anything from Tom Walkinshaw saying that he wants to break up the existing, already signed, contract for next year, we are not worried," Huub Rothengatter told Verstappen's personal website.