Eagle F1 hopes grounded as funding fails

The proposed Eagle Formula One project has come down to Earth with a bump.

Dan Gurney confirmed that although interest in an All-American F1 team was strong, long-term funding through sponsorship had not been forthcoming.

With time running out for Ford to set up an engine deal, the project has been dropped, ending hopes that the evocative name might reappear. Gurney’s All-American Racing team last raced in grands prix in 1968.

• Clutch problems prevented the pole-sitting Eagle 74A of Ian Giles from starting the Derek Bell Trophy race at the HSCC Silverstone finale.