Grapevine: Massa Edging Closer to Jordan Seat

Brazilian Felipe Massa could become the favourite to land the remaining Jordan seat after receiving financial backing from Ford Brazil, according to Italian magazine Autosprint.

Massa, who last season drove for the Swiss Sauber team, is one of several drivers in talks with Jordan over the remaining seat at the Silverstone-based squad, who along with Minardi are the only ones yet to complete their driver line-up for the 2003 season.

Jordan are looking for a driver with financial backing to partner Italian Giancarlo Fisichella in 2003, and Massa is fighting with Ulsterman Eddie Irvine and Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, among other drivers, to land the seat.

According to the report in Autosprint, Ford Brazil has decided to sign an agreement to support Massa in 2003, strengthening the ties between him and Jordan, who next season will be powered by Ford engines.

"The team assured me that I'm on top of the list of drivers they are talking to," Massa told Autosprint last week. "As far as we know, Eddie Jordan is confident of finding new sponsors to complete the budget for the team for 2003."