Formula One™ racing team Minardi are to be taken to arbitration over prize money they were awarded earlier this year.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart fought a long campaign to be awarded millions of dollars in prize money after the demise of the Prost team at the start of the season.

But at the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday it emerged that McLaren, Williams, BAR and Jordan will appeal the decision before an FIA court of arbitration.

Stoddart has warned that should Minardi lose the prize money through the McLaren-led action, it could spell the end of the team.

"I cannot believe that one of the biggest teams is trying to force one of the smallest teams out of business," he said.