Ford set for F1 return after Jordan engine deal

Ford's famous blue oval will next season return to Formula One after Jordan agreed a three-year engine supply contract with the major motor manufacturer.

The team will be powered by Ford Cosworth RS engines to conclude a deal which boss Eddie Jordan has been working on for the last seven months, one which ensured he had "the worst summer vacation" of his life.

Cosworth already supply engines to Jaguar and the Arrows team, but Jordan will take their partnership a step further as they will carry the legendary logo on the car.

To bring about the Ford deal, Jordan was forced to reach an agreement with current engine suppliers Honda to terminate a three-year contract with 12 months remaining.

It means Jordan and Ford will be reunited after a 12-year absence as the team first started out in Formula One in 1991 with their engines, but only for one season.

"We worked with Cosworth as a customer in 1991 and we thought we would get a Ford participation in those early days, but maybe we were a bit too naive," said Jordan.

"Finally Ford and ourselves have eventually got together, which is fantastic. I'm slightly surprised it's happened so quickly because we only got the signatures on the contract last night.

"Today we're happy and proud Jordan, Ford and Cosworth will be working together for the next three years or so. It's a very big day for Jordan.

"It means the car next year will be a Jordan-Ford, with the blue oval back in Formula One, which is for me very exciting news.

"I think we should all rejoice a day when Ford publicly announce they are coming back into Formula One.

"It's a proper Ford-related partnership, with dedicated people inside Cosworth who will be exclusively dedicated to Jordan."