Grapevine: Fisichella Would Welcome Irvine Return

Giancarlo Fisichella says he would welcome the possibility of working with Eddie Irvine at Jordan after the Northern Irish veteran was linked on Thursday to a return to the team.

"I heard that just now and it would be great," the Italian told a news conference ahead of Sunday's Canadian Formula One Grand Prix when asked about the newspaper speculation. "I think Eddie is a very good driver, he's a nice guy, very friendly and he did well in the past. It would be nice."

Britain's Sun newspaper, who run a regular column by the 36-year-old Irvine, reported that Jordan sponsor Benson and Hedges were keen on the Jaguar driver as a replacement for Japanese rookie Takuma Sato next season.

Sato has had several crashes in his debut season, including one with Fisichella in Malaysia and a near-miss with him in Monaco two weeks ago, but team boss Eddie Jordan has been supportive. The Japanese also has a long-term contract.

However the Sun quoted an unnamed source close to Jordan as saying that "Eddie Jordan has the final say on drivers but, if B and H had their way, Irvine would be the perfect choice. He is high-profile and they would be delighted if he finished where he started -- with Jordan. If they were to offer paying his wages, that could swing things."

Lucrative Contract

Irvine's lucrative contract at Jaguar is up for renewal and, as one of the highest-paid employees of the parent company Ford, is likely to have to take a big pay cut if he were to stay on. The team last week tested Renault's Spanish test driver Fernando Alonso, along with their junior drivers Andre Lotterer of Germany and Australian James Courtney.

Irvine started out at Jordan in 1993 and remained at the Irish team until moving to Ferrari in 1996. Jordan last had a British driver when 1996 champion Damon Hill ended his career there in 1999. Fisichella hardly gave Sato, who has close links with engine supplier Honda, a ringing endorsement even if the reports on Irvine prove wide of the mark.

"He hasn't got experience and sometimes he looks quick but is maybe too aggressive," he said of his teammate. "He had a very bad accident...he has been maybe a bit unlucky and I'm sure the second part of the season is going to be easier for him."

Fisichella has scored all four of Jordan's points this season while Sato has finished only two of seven races and is yet to take his first point.