Formula 3000 boss Christian Horner says he is looking to buy a Formula One team rather than trying to bring his own into the sport as previously planned.

　　"My intention is clearly to move forward into Formula One and that route now has to be through an existing team," Horner, who runs the championship-winning Arden operation in the supporting series, said yesterday.

　　British newspapers suggested that Silverstone-based Jordan was the most likely target after reported negotiations at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

　　Horner, however, would not say which teams he might be talking to, and there was no comment from Jordan.

　　Eddie Jordan's team is struggling to keep up with the car giants that now dominate the sport and has been linked to various would-be purchasers, including a recent Dubai initiative.

　　Horner, whose Arden team is based not far from Jordan's factory, said in April that he hoped to bring his own team into Formula One as early as next season if new regulations and cost-cutting changes were agreed.

　　However, one of the planned changes, the abolition of a US$48 million bond that new entrants have to pay, looks unlikely to go ahead with the smaller teams determined to protect their investment and assets.

　　"When (International Automobile Federation president) Max (Mosley) initially looked at getting rid of the bond, we were looking very seriously at trying to get an entry together to join the Formula One world championship," said Horner.

　　"Now that the dropping of the bond looks unlikely, the only alternative is really through an existing team. We'd only do it if it's on the right terms though, for a long-term future," he added.

　　Formula One has three independent teams, with Minardi the weakest and Ferrari-powered Sauber the most competitive. Toyota was the last all-new team to arrive in 2002 while Prost and Arrows have both folded.

　　Formula One teams need a budget of at least US$50 million a year to be competitive, with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren operating on several times that amount.

　　(Reuters)

　　编辑：趴趴