German Formula 1 racing driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen is joining the Inland Revenue in attempting to wind up the troubled Arrows Formula 1 racing team.

The High Court in London has been asked by the tax authorities to give the go-ahead to a winding-up order on Wednesday, October 16, against Arrows Autosport, of Lea- field, near Witney.

Now Mr Frentzen, who left the team in August, has also brought a petition against another of owner Tom Walkinshaw's companies, Arrows Grand Prix International, whose registered address is given as Broadstone Grange, near Chipping Norton.

A spokesman for his solicitors, Wedlake Bell, said they could not reveal the size of the driver's claim.

Mr Walkinshaw used his own money to pay engine suppliers Cosworth two months of arrears, about £1.7m, so that Mr Frentzen and Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi could race in the British Grand Prix in July. Arrows has since missed five Grand Prix.

The team can expect to be declared bankrupt unless it has money to pay its creditors. However, it is understood that Mr Walkinshaw is still hoping to secure a sale before the court case on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Inland Revenue, which started the court action, said he could not give any information about the petition.