Firman's Break Down to Luck as Much as Ability

Briton Ralph Firman today claimed his Formula One break was down to luck as much as his racing pedigree - after bumping into new team boss Eddie Jordan on Christmas Day while on holiday in the Caribbean.

Firman, who will make his F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix on March 9, got chatting to Jordan in a sunglasses store on the tropical island of St Bartholomew before thrashing out a deal with the team owner.

It turned out to be paradise island for the 27-year-old whose CV - including beating Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya to the British F3 title in 1993 - dazzled Jordan and paved the way for talks to begin.

"We got chatting and had dinner and took it from there," Firman said. "Last week, though, I didn't think it was going to happen and was ready to go back to Japan to continue racing out there.

"Then it changed in just a matter of hours and things over the last few days have been pretty hectic, but I expect it to be like that all year - that's F1."

Irishman Jordan denied talk that he had been looking for a driver with considerable money to help his team out the most difficult financial period in their 12-year history.

"It's a very clear employer and employee relationship," said Jordan. "We're paying Ralph to drive for us and there was never any condition on him bringing money. What we liked about Ralph was the fact he's not only got a formidable CV - nobody in F1 has a better record in the junior categories.

"But he has also been through the tough times, been left on the side of the street and knows what it takes to come back from that."

Jordan also said a new deal with long-time sponsors Benson & Hedges meant his team could now paint their new car which has gone quickly in early testing.

"By next week it won't be black any more - provided the cheque clears!" added Jordan.

Firman will have only a week of testing in the Ford-powered car before it is flown to Australia for the season's first Grand Prix in Melbourne.

But while Jordan says he has no doubt about Firman's ability, there could be one final snag - his height. At 6ft 1in he only just fits into the car and there still is some redesigning to be done to ensure he enjoys a comfortable ride in Australia.