Formula 1: F3 star Sato signs for Jordan

Japanese driver Takuma Sato has signed a two-year contract with the Jordan Formula One team and is expected to partner Giancarlo Fisichella when the new season starts next year.

Sato, who is currently a test driver with British-American Racing, dominated this year’s British Formula 3 Championship, winning a record 12 races.

He was the youngest driver to ever test in Formula One when he ran in the Jordan Honda in December 2000.

Meanwhile, racing legend Jean Alesi, who moved to Jordan after Heinz-Harald Frentzen was sacked midway through the current season, has announced his retirement from Formula One.

The 37-year-old Frenchman will wind up his career at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on Sunday. It will be his 201st Grand Prix.

Alesi is expected to switch to the American CART series next season.