Drivers line up for Jordan seat

Hill is expected to announce today whether he intends to race at next weekend's British Grand Prix.

If he opts to retire, team boss Eddie Jordan is likely to bring in a replacement for the rest of the season, keeping his options open for 2000.

Leading the way of possible replacements is Jos Verstappen, who has been drafted in to test for Jordan today and tomorrow at Silverstone.

The former Benetton driver has spent much of this year as test driver for Honda's F1 project.

Although the venture was shelved following the death of designer Harvey Postlethwaite and Honda shelving plans to enter Formula One, Verstappen's services as a test driver have been retained.

Salo, who partnered the Dutchman at Tyrrell, has already expressed an interest in the seat having earlier this season deputised for the injured British American Racing driver, Ricardo Zonta.

He scored BAR's best two results of the season, bringing his car home in seventh at the San Marino Grand Prix and eighth in Spain.

Also joining the list of candidates is former Prost driver Shinji Nakano, who will be testing alongside Verstappen at Silverstone this week.

Another possibility could include young Formula 3000 charger Nick Heidfeld.

Even though the F3000 leader is contracted to McLaren, the lure of a top seat at the Silverstone-based team could entice the highly-rated German.

Speaking exclusively to AUTOSPORT Online at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, he refused to rule out a move to a team other than McLaren should he enter Formula One.

'I hope to move to Formula 1 next year but I don't know if it will be McLaren or another team.'

It is thought that Mercedes has already offered Jordan the German wunderkind's services for 2000.

Also in the frame is 22-year-old Mark Webber.

The Australian, who escaped serious injury in a spectacular shunt at Le Mans, is believed to have financial backing. There is speculation he has already signed a deal with Jordan.

Champ Car leader Juan Montoya is a possible candidate having stunned the racing world with four victories this season.

If the Colombian was considered, it would be more likely to be in 2000, as Stateside commitments would make him unavailable for this much of this season.

Montoya is also being leased to Chip Ganassi's team by Williams, which might not release him to Jordan.

An outside bet could include Scotsman Dario Franchitti, who is keen to enter Formula One at some stage.

Both Montoya and Franchitti are highly regarded among F1 teams, however the poor form of last year's Cart winner Alessandro Zanardi could deter Jordan from gambling on either option.

Like Montoya, Franchitti's Champ Car campaign would also clash with a number of F1 events and if he did join it would be for next season's campaign.

A rank outsider would be ex-world champion Nigel Mansell, who has still not officially hung up his helmet, and would be more likely to fill-in as a short-term replacement.

World Championship rally driver, Colin McRae, has previously tested a Jordan and would also be a popular, albeit unlikely candidate.