The Lola Grand Prix team has pulled out of Formula One after just one race. A team spokesman confirmed yesterday that the Lola team's two cars will not compete in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix or any of the other remaining 16 races this season.

"We got a telephone call yesterday from the factory telling us we were pulling out," said team manager Ray Boulter in Sao Paulo this afternoon.

"We were, well, amazed. We were two seconds off the pace in Melbourne but that is not a reflection of what we can do.

"And it is all the more surprising because the whole team is already out here. We had come out especially early to prepare ourselves for this event. Everything is set up and ready to go."

Huntingdon-based Lola had 2 mechanics and engineers and two drivers, Brazilian Ricardo Rosset and Italian Vincenzo Sospiri, preparing for qualifying which starts tomorrow at the Interlagos circuit.

A spokesman for the team in England said: "I can confirm that Lola have pulled out of the Brazilian Grand Prix and will not be entering other races in 1997.

"Beyond that, we are a racing car company and we have identified Formula One as an area we should be involved in."

The Huntingdon-based team are one of the most distinguished names in motor racing having won championships at almost every level and dominated the American Indycar series.