Firman back on track

Englishman Ralph Firman returned to a Formula One cockpit today after almost four weeks out with an inner ear problem.

The Norwich-born driver suffered an horrific accident in practice for last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix and has not been able to drive his Jordan since.

Firman, in his first season of grand prix racing, has been suffering from vertigo but recovered sufficiently to test for Jordan at Silverstone today.

The test enhances Firman’s chances of racing in the final two grands prix of the season – in the United States and Japan – after suggestions he may again be replaced by Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner.