McNish wants Jordan 2004 drive

Allan McNish has told Jordan he is the man to spearhead their Formula One challenge in 2004.

The Scot, who will be 34 later this month, is still hopeful he can grab a seat with Dubliner Eddie Jordan's cash-strapped team, even though he is unable to bring sponsorship.

McNish is keen to get back into F1 having had just one campaign racing with Toyota in 2002 before test-driving for Renault last season, where his work earned rave reviews.

“I firmly believe I can do the job for Jordan, both on and off the track,” said McNish.

“I’ve made no secret of wanting to get back on the grid, and after such a good 2003 with Renault it has only increased my desire to be racing again.

“I’m still talking with Jordan at the moment and things are progressing. I’ve visited the factory and seen the car and the wind tunnel, and I’m right up to speed with where the team is.

“There’s been so much speculation recently over this seat with Jordan, but that’s only to be expected with only a few places left up for grabs.

"However, with the new testing regulations, it puts even more emphasis on an experienced driver.”

Jordan are the only team still to finalise their line-up with at least five drivers battling for the two places.

McNish is up against Ralph Firman, who drove for Jordan last season, and Justin Wilson, with Germany’s Nick Heidfeld and Dutchman Jos Verstappen the other main contenders, although Spain’s Marc Gene has also been linked to the Silverstone-based outfit.

Former Sauber driver Heidfeld has agreed a deal but it is understood to be subject to the team finding major sponsorship while Eddie Jordan has been in talks with Verstappen, who would reputedly bring around £4m (€5.7m) in sponsorship.

“Fortunately I have never been in the position of being asked for money from a team to drive and teams recognise what value I bring both on and off track,” added McNish.

“[Team boss] Eddie [Jordan] is working very hard to secure the team’s position for the future and I am sure he will succeed, he is best when his back is against the wall.

“At the moment I’m just concentrating on working things out with Jordan but I am in the very fortunate position of having a number of options open to me so we’ll just have to see how things pan out.”

McNish has been linked with a return to sportscars or Le Mans, both of which he won before finally getting his chance with Toyota 10 years after he first tested a Formula One car.

Justin Wilson’s hopes of returning to Minardi all but ended yesterday when team boss Paul Stoddart offered his second seat to Zsolt Baumgartner as long as the Hungarian, who competed in two grands prix for Jordan last season, can stump up the necessary cash.

That left Jordan as Wilson’s only hope after losing his drive at Jaguar.

But Jordan warned: “My main target is to get all the sponsorship I need and then decide on the drivers. Ideally sponsorship comes before the drivers, but obviously it would be difficult to consider Justin without some financial support.”