Motor Racing: Warwick's grand prix comeback

Derek Warwick's return to Formula One will be given official confirmation today, but Ayrton Senna has left the decision concerning his future tantalisingly on the edge of public consumption.

While Warwick, joint winner of Le Mans and the Sportscar World Championship with Peugeot this season, was acknowledging here that he had already signed for Footwork-Mugen Honda, Senna would not reveal whether or not he would be staying with McLaren.

Asked what he would be doing, he replied, smiling: 'I know, but I don't know,' which was taken to mean: 'I know, but I'm not telling.'

He was not even prepared to comment on how McLaren's attempt to acquire Renault engines, in place of Hondas, might influence his verdict. The Brazilian explained there were factors which were 'not public knowledge', and that he did not wish to compromise the situation of a team for whom he was still working.

Speculation, haggling and posturing have been all too familiar features of Formula One these past months, and Britain's Warwick, who departed the scene two years ago, has mixed feelings about what he has discovered on his return.

He said: 'Formula One has definitely changed since I've been away. It seems to me there are too many people with overgrown egos. I've been told I'll be refreshing and I'd like to think I will be. Perhaps I can give Formula One a kick in the pants. Let's get on with the racing and cut out all the bull.'

Lengthy negotiations - and world championship success - failed to keep Nigel Mansell at Williams-Renault, and Warwick regrets that his compatriot will be seeking refuge in American Indycar racing next season. 'I can't believe Nigel won't be here,' said Warwick, who like Mansell is 38. 'It seems crazy to me. Whatever happened at Williams, everyone must take a share of the blame.'

For all its blemishes, grand prix racing retains its irresistible appeal for a man who has realised a threefold ambition this season. He said: 'I set out to win Le Mans, win the Sportscar World Championship and get back into Formula One. Now I've achieved all three aims. I couldn't have done more. It's great to be back and I believe I deserve to be back. I feel I shouldn't have been out in the first place.'

The British-based team Warwick will drive for has undergone considerable change since he left three years ago for an ill-starred venture with Lotus. Arrows, as they were then, have been taken over by the Japanese company Footwork, and formed a partnership with Mugen. They also have a Japanese driver, Aguri Suzuki, who stays on next season. Michele Alboreto, after an excellent season, is moving on, possibly to Scuderia Italia.

Warwick said: 'The team have made a lot of progress this season and what we need next season is to take things on another step. Although I was hopeful of getting a Formula One drive, I probably didn't expect to get one so competitive.'

Footwork's faith in Warwick ensures Britain at least two drivers in the sport's premier category next season. Johnny Herbert has long been contracted to continue at Lotus-Ford. Damon Hill awaits Williams's deliberations, though Frank Williams, the team's managing director, has indicated he will not name Alain Prost's partner until after the final two races of the season, Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix here and the Australian round, a fortnight later. It appears Herbert's team-mate, Mika Hakkinen, is under scrutiny.

Martin Brundle, released by Benetton-Ford and told he would not be required by Williams, is talking to McLaren, Ligier and Jordan, who surprised no one yesterday by announcing they would be parting company with Yamaha at the end of the season. Having settled their dispute over a previous deal for Ford engines, they may be trying to revive the alliance.

Mansell, meanwhile, is hoping to bid Suzuka sayonara with his first win here. He has not even finished in five previous visits. Honda, powering McLaren for the last time in their own back-yard, are equally determined to restore honour and stature, before an awestruck crowd.

Jaguar and Porsche will build road-going GT cars to compete at next year's Le Mans and Daytona 24-hour races and the Sebring 12- hour following the collapse of the world sportscar championship this season. They want additional long- distance events in Europe and Japan to be included in a worldwide series.