11-23-2002

Jordan Grand Prix has confirmed that Brazilian ace Felipe Massa is in the running for the second Ford-powered seat.

Massa debuted for Sauber this year but the Paulista's often erratic form left him in the cold ahead of season 2003.

But his natural speed and racing verve was never in question and, it seems, has not been lost on the Silverstone-based Jordan team.

'He is one of a number of drivers we have had contact with,' a Jordan spokesperson revealed. 'We know he is very highly regarded. But nothing has been agreed.'

Last week, Jordan announced that some 40 percent of its total budget - more than $30 million dollars - would be lost with the departure of major backer Deutsche Post World Net.
And that occurrence, says the team, have made commercial considerations all the more important in the selection of a driver for the sister EJ13.

'It is true that the identity of our second driver will be commercially influenced,' said Jordan's marketing director Mark Gallagher.

Giancarlo Fisichella will steer one Ford-powered EJ13 next year but the future of the team's second contracted driver, Takuma Sato, is far less secure.