Grapevine: Lyons May Test for Jordan in December

Jordan Grand Prix could test Formula Nippon driver Richard Lyons during the winter, but the young Northern Irishman is not a candidate for a race seat at Suzuka next week nor will he test for the team this week, contrary to speculations.

25 year old Lyons, currently racing with the Dandelion Lola team, has been mentioned as a possible candidate for a Grand Prix drive with Jordan in the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend. His manager, former Formula One driver David Kennedy, told Atlas F1 yesterday: "We're currently having talks with Jordan about Richard driving in the GP next week.

"Richard is a perfect candidate, having set lap records and having won at Suzuka on several occasions in Formula Nippon. I think there's a very good chance for it to happen; the Dandelion Lola team are keen to see him race in F1 and will be happy to support him."

Kennedy also said Lyons may test with Jordan prior to the Suzuka race, but Jordan's Director of Business Affairs, Ian Phillips, told Atlas F1 Lyons would not be testing for the team this week or racing in Japan, and the earliest he could drive a Jordan car would be in December.

"We have been in touch with Richard and we are very interested in him," Phillips said. "But the first opportunity to test him will be at Jerez in December, when we begin the winter testing."