Arrows protested for Melbourne misdemeanours.

The Arrows team has been hit by a protest over its actions on race day at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix - although it remains unclear where the objection originated.

The team, which was already embroiled in a war of words with Minardi boss Paul Stoddart over owner Tom Walkinshaw's support for the nascent Phoenix operation, has, according to the ex-pat Australian, been protested for allowing both its drivers to start from the pit-lane when neither was supposed to.

Both Enrique Bernoldi and Heinz-Harald Frentzen were left stranded on the grid when the field set off on its parade lap, and had to be pushed into pit-lane when their cars refused to fire in time to join the back of the pack. The race was then marred by a first corner incident which removed half the entries and, while the safety car was picking up the leader, both Arrows drivers rejoined, Bernoldi in the spare car.

In the event, however, neither made it to the chequered flag, having both seen a black version before getting into their stride. Bernoldi's switch of machines caused his downfall, while Frentzen was disqualified for leaving the pits while the red light controlling traffic was on.

It is Bernoldi's case that is thought to have provoked the protest, although Stoddart, discussing the matter on British broadcaster ITV's official F1 website, refused to be drawn on whether he had been the one to lodge it.

"Whether it was Minardi or another team remains an issue between the FIA and the team involved," he insisted, "However, it must be said that rules are there to be obeyed.

"There are many precedents where the FIA has taken harsh action against teams who cheat those rules, so it remains for me to say that whatever action the FIA takes has my total support."

It is thought unlikely, in this instance, that Arrows, Walkinshaw or either driver would be penalised, but the FIA sporting code does allow for parties not 'acquainted with the statutes and regulations' to have their licence withdrawn.