Bernoldi on Jordan's Drivers List

Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, with struggling Arrows last season, has joined Jordan's list of prospective Formula One drivers for 2003.

"We can confirm that Bernoldi is one of the drivers we've had contact with about 2003," said a team spokeswoman on Friday.

Jordan currently have experienced main driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy under contract along with Japanese 2002 rookie Takuma Sato. But the team have said the choice of second driver will be influenced by commercial considerations. Jordan are seeking sponsorship after their title backer Deutsche Post decided to quit the sport.

Bernoldi is backed by Austrian energy drink brand Red Bull, who first sponsored him as a Sauber test driver and then in his move to Arrows, whose future is looking bleak. Red Bull also sponsor Sauber and are currently backing a programme to bring promising American drivers to European racing and possibly into Formula One.

Bernoldi has yet to score a point in Formula One after 28 starts and missed the last five races of 2002 as Arrows financial problems sidelined the team. Jordan have also been talking to Briton Eddie Irvine, released by Jaguar, and Brazilian Felipe Massa, who was dropped by Sauber at the end of the season.

Briton Anthony Davidson, the BAR test driver, has also been in the frame but he said this week that sponsorship was a problem and his hopes looked less promising. The team are in no hurry to confirm their line-up, with no pre-season testing scheduled for them until after the new car is launched some time in mid-January.