Formula One team Arrows have vowed to take legal action against the sport's governing body to win back its place in the World Championship.
The English team, who missed the final five races of last season because of cash problems, were excluded from the entry list for 2003 by FIA yesterday.
"We will appeal against the FIA's decision, we will ask for the intervention of the F1 Commission," Daniele Audetto, commercial director of team owner Tom Walkinshaw's TWR group is quoted in the Italian press.
Arrows are expected to issue a formal statement later today confirming they are appealing.
But sources at the governing body insisted after the entry list was published yesterday that the decision was final, seemingly bringing an end to the most unsuccessful team in Formula One history. Arrows failed to win a race in 382 attempts.
The team did pay the Stg£220,000 entry fee, but were not granted a berth by FIA, the governing body adding it has set out its reasons to Arrows.
Arrows insist they are on the verge of being sold to a German company, acting on behalf of Arab investors, who were just waiting for official confirmation they had a place in the championship.
If any new team now emerges from Arrows, it will have to pay a £31million bond to FIA.
Arrows financial problems came to light midway through last season, since when Walkinshaw has been battling to save the team he bought in 1996.
But as well as missing the final five races, Arrows were also warned after failing to qualify in France with Walkinshaw claiming he had been advised not to compete while talks with potential buyers continued.