Jordan defends Heidfeld 'block'

Williams approached Jordan about releasing Heidfeld so it could hold a shoot-out test between him and test driver Antonio Pizzonia, but Jordan blocked the move. Despite heavy criticism from the German media, Jordan has accused Williams of 'playing' with Heidfeld and said he was not willing to incur the extra costs needed to replace him at Jordan.

"Williams approached us and asked whether I would release Nick to test for them in Jerez," confirmed Jordan. "I was prepared to release him if this test was intended to give him the chance to prove himself deserving of a race drive there in 2005. I have been working for some time to help him get that race seat next year.

"However, they told me it was a shoot-out between Nick and Antonio Pizzonia for a race drive in Hockenheim this year. The quickest driver would race in Hockenheim, Hungary and Belgium, as they believe Ralf will be back in Monza. They said they would negotiate with me on Friday after the test, after they had seen him drive.

"It's not Jordan's problem that Williams are losing both their drivers this year and have employed two test drivers that they don't want to use in the races.

"I have always said that I want to help Nick get a top drive and I will stay true to my word. I also have to protect the interests of Jordan. If one of our drivers were to test elsewhere, Jordan would have had 24 hours to find a new driver and test him for three days with all the costs that involved so all I asked Williams for was for those costs to be covered.

"I never sought to make a profit from this, only to cover the losses we would have to repay for example for extra engine mileage with a new driver."