Jordan deny sealing deal with Irvine

JORDAN have denied they have already agreed a deal with former driver Eddie Irvine for next season, but there is increasing evidence that the Irishman could secure the drive.

The Silverstone-based outfit were reacting to comments made by rival team boss Paul Stoddart, who said Irvine was taking the seat vacated by Japan’s Takuma Sato, who yesterday joined BAR as a test driver.

But a team spokeswoman said: “We have not agreed anything with any driver regarding the number two seat at Jordan. There are a number of conversations taking place but nothing has been finalised.”

Irvine’s main rivals for the seat are the Brazilian duo of Felipe Massa, released after one season with Sauber, and Enrique Bernoldi, without a drive because of Arrows’ cash problems.

Irvine’s chances of returning to the team where he started his career in 1993 rely on Benson & Hedges upping their financial backing of the team. The cigarette giant are understood to be keen on the team signing a high-profile driver and none can guarantee the kind of publicity Irvine, 37 last month, can generate.

Meetings between the Gallagher Group, which controls the Benson and Hedges brand, and Jordan have been going on in recent weeks and it is understood that the possibility of Irvine returning is an integral part of those discussions.

Benson and Hedges pared back their sponsorship of the team last season, but it is believed they are considering taking over the role of title sponsor once more. Irvine has been relaxing at his home in Miami since being axed by Jaguar at the end of last season while talks continue about prolonging his career.

But whoever wants the drive alongside Italy’s Giancarlo Fisichella will have to come up with at least £5m

after Eddie Jordan’s outfit lost their deal with main sponsors Deutsche Post. Bernoldi is believed to have lost the backing of energy company Red Bull which could put him out of the frame, while Massa was quoted recently as saying he would be prepared to return to Sauber as a test driver.

Sato could not come up with the required funds and has opted to act as Jenson Button’s test driver next season.

“It’s a real shame of course that I will not race for Jordan next year, but I fully understand the situation now and I leave the team on good terms,” said Sato, who has agreed a three-year deal with the Honda-powered team.

“Obviously going back to being a test driver is not ideal, but I will be developing a car that I could be racing in 2004, which will be good preparation. And who knows, there might even be a chance to race in 2003 as I am the reserve race driver.”

Former British F3 champion Sato had an erratic and expensive rookie season, damaging several cars but finishing the campaign on a high with fifth place in his home race.

“Takuma Sato has natural driving talent and a lot of bravery,” said Jordan. “We had an eventful and exciting season together this year. I have every confidence in him and I hope he will build on the ability that we saw demonstrated in Suzuka in perhaps one of the best drives of the season.”

Sato joining as reserve and test driver is a blow to Britain Anthony Davidson’s F1 hopes, though he will still be part of the Brackley-based outfit’s test team next season.

But Sato’s chances of returning to the grid in 2004 will depend on 1997 world champion Villeneueve’s willingness to take a massive pay cut. BAR bosses said recently they would be prepared to talk to Villeneuve about extending his contract but will not be paying anything like the £13m he will reputedly earn next season.

The Canadian is already making soundings about looking for a competitive drive in 2004 with the 2003 season still over two months away.

Villeneuve has had it all his own way since he joined the team set-up by then manager Craig Pollock for the 1999 season, but that is no longer the case. The 31-year-old was upset that new driver Button had a slightly higher-spec Honda engine when he made his debut for the team at last week’s test in Jerez. Villeneuve left after his one-day test muttering: “There’s a British driver in a British team and if they are going to play a political game I am not going to be part of it.”