Jordan Admit to Massa Talks

Jordan are refusing to confirm claims by Felipe Massa that he will replace Takuma Sato in the team in 2003, despite admitting holding talks with the Brazilian.

After a fast but erratic debut season, Brazilian Massa was dropped by Sauber in favour of experienced German Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Massa had been offered a test drive by the Swiss team and has been linked to a similar role at Ferrari, but wants a race drive and claimed a deal with Jordan has been done.

A Jordan spokesperson confirmed today that the Silverstone-based team have met with Massa, but also "a number of other drivers" and denied that any deal has been finalised.

The spokesperson said: "We think Massa is very highly rated as do most people in Formula One, but nothing has been agreed."

Asked if Japanese Sato would stay with Jordan next season, the spokesperson added: "Takuma was signed into a two-year contract with us and we hoped he will stay, but of course Eddie Jordan has many issues to consider, one of them being commercial."

The spokesperson also said Eddie Irvine was continuing to talk with Jordan. Ulsterman Irvine has been dumped by Jaguar and his last chance of staying in the sport could be with Jordan, who gave him his F1 break ten years ago.

"We are in regular contact with Eddie Irvine," said the spokesperson. "He's an old friend of the team."

If Irvine cannot find a way into Jordan, he could find an escape route with minnows Minardi, who have yet to announce any drivers for 2003. But it is unknown if Irvine, one of the grid's biggest earners and who just three years ago almost won the world drivers' crown with Ferrari, would want to drive for one of F1's poorest teams.