Firman set to drive for Jordan
The 27-year-old is set to be confirmed by the Silverstone-based outfit today following a meeting with team chief Eddie Jordan.
Firman will become the fourth Brit on the grid in 2003, joining David Coulthard, Jenson Button and fellow rookie Justin Wilson.
The Norwich-born racer has won the race to partner Italy's Giancarlo Fisichellla ahead of Felipe Massa, who drove for Sauber last year.
Brazilian Massa had long been considered the favourite even by Firman, who returned to Japan a fortnight ago to begin preparations for the defence of his Formula Nippon title.
But it appears the £3m funding Massa thought he had from Ford of Brazil and his country's fuel giant Petrobras has not materialised.
It is not clear if Firman, who returned to London last Saturday, will also be able to bring with him the necessary sponsorship.
But Jordan has been boosted recently by an extra £10m in television revenue following moves by rival F1 bosses to ensure his team and Minardi can complete the season.
And it is understood that Jordan were anyway impressed by Firman's track record as a driver to hand him his F1 chance.
He will make his debut in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 7-9.
Firman showed his talent when he beat the likes of Juan Pablo Montoya to the British F3 title in 1996 while driving for Paul Stewart Racing.
He won the prestigious McLaren-Autosport Young Driver award that year and was rewarded with an F1 test drive by McLaren.
But after being unable to make the breakthrough, Firman has been racing in Japan for the past six seasons and romped to the Formula Nippon the equivalent of F3000 title last year.
A Jordan spokeswoman said yesterday: "I cannot confirm the name of any driver. At present we have not signed an agreement with any driver." Massa is tipped to be named as a test driver for Ferrari when the team launch their F-2003 car on Friday.
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