Fisichella Would Welcome Irvine at Jordan

Jordan driver Giancarlo Fisichella said today that Ulsterman Eddie Irvine next year would be "a great choice" for the team to pick as his partner for the 2003 season.

Irvine, 36, is out of contract with Jaguar at the end of the year and has been tipped to make a return to the Irish-owned team where he made his Grand Prix debut in Japan nine years ago.

The former Ferrari star has remained candid over his future since speculation that he would leave Jaguar at the end of the year developed when Australian Mark Webber had a test drive with the team earlier this season.

Jordan sponsors Benson and Hedges are known to be keen on signing a British driver, and Fisichella said: "There has been a lot of speculation about Eddie joining Jordan next season. For me it would be great.

"I rate him highly as a driver and because he has the experience. The pair of us could really take the team forward. We would be able to get twice the amount of work done in testing and would really push each other along.

"We would be the ideal yardstick for each other. Some people find Eddie difficult because of his character and outspoken attitude but we have always got along great. He is a straight guy and I know he respects me."

Fisichella, who has raced alongside Japanese driver Takuma Sato this year, believes he and Irvine would be "the perfect partnership" for Jordan. And he added that with Ford-backed Cosworth power on its way to the Silverstone-based team next year in place of the Honda powerplant, the package could be one to cause an upset in the field.

"I have seen what is being done with next year's car and I am very happy with what is happening," Fisichella, 29, told the Sun newspaper. "With a Ford engine we should certainly be competitive."