Tyrrell made it clear yesterday that there were no problems with their new signing, the Dutchman Jos Verstappen, despite his absence from the official entry list for next year's Formula One World Championship.
"We think the problem was just down to timing," a team spokesman, Rupert Manwaring, said. "We signed Jos late on Thursday night and he will definitely be our driver next year. His absence may just be because the list was put together before we announced him."
There were no surprises in the 24-strong list, released in Paris by the FIA, the international governing body of motor sport, which confirmed vacant seats at the Jordan, Ligier, Minardi and Lola teams.
Those four teams have until 9 March, the day before practice begins for the Australian Grand Prix, to nominate their drivers.
Formula One World Championship entry list
1 Damon Hill (GB) Arrows
2 Pedro Diniz (Bra) Arrows
3 Jacques Villeneuve (Can) Williams
4 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Ger) Williams
5 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
6 Eddie Irvine (GB) Ferrari
7 Jean Alesi (Fr) Benetton
8 Gerhard Berger (Aut) Benetton
9 Mika Hakkinen (Fin) McLaren
10 David Coulthard (GB) McLaren
11 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Jordan
12 To be announced Jordan
14 Olivier Panis (Fr) Ligier
15 To Be Arranged Ligier
16 Johnny Herbert (GB) Sauber
17 Nicola Larini (It) Sauber
18 TBA Tyrrell
19 Mika Salo (Fin) Tyrrell
20 TBA Minardi
21 TBA Minardi
22 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Stewart
23 Jan Magnussen (Den) Stewart
24 TBA Lola
25 TBA Lola
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