Grapevine: Sato's Future Still in the Balance

Briton Eddie Irvine's hopes of replacing Japanese driver Takuma Sato at Jordan have been strengthened by comments from boss Eddie Jordan suggesting the seat is up for sale.

Sato claimed his first points of the season with fifth place in Japan last Sunday and netted the team an estimated £2 million by moving them up to sixth place in the World Championship. But his joy could soon turn to despair after Jordan insisted Sato, who has a long-term contract with the team which includes a race seat next year, needs to front up with more cash to stay in Formula One.

"He needs more yen," said Jordan. "We believe that he can make it and will make it. But Japanese companies and businesses need to back him to make sure he is in Formula One next year."

Jordan's comments suggest that if Sato fails to come up with more funding then the place, which Jordan has insistently said is the Japanese driver's will be up for grabs and Jaguar driver Irvine is ready to pounce. Jordan backers Benson and Hedges are understood not to have yet signed a deal with the team for next year and are pushing for them to ditch the Japanese youngster and take on experienced Irvine instead.

Irvine insists his Formula One future is secure and has hinted at plans to leave the struggling Jaguar outfit by expressing little interest or confidence in the future of the team. His management was seen talking to his Benson and Hedges bosses at the season-ending race in Suzuka.

Sato, meanwhile, has had a difficult debut marred by crashes, and Jordan added to speculation that he will be forced to make way by criticising him for an indifferent season.

"He has crashed a lot this season and cost us a lot of money," said Jordan. "He has been amazing this weekend and the Japanese have got a big star now - but they just need to get behind him."

Sato was taken on when Honda renewed their commitment to supply engines to Jordan last year, but the team will switch to Ford Cosworth power next season - and use the engine that Irvine has had in his Jaguar this year.