Jordan Looks for Japanese Jackpot

Eddie Jordan knows a good deal when he sees one and, for a Honda-powered Formula One team, they do not come much better than Takuma Sato.

All the signs are that the Irish entrepreneur has lined up a potential jackpot by signing the 24-year-old Japanese for next season. You could almost hear the Honda bosses purring at the Japanese Grand Prix as the team principal put their protege in the fast stream this week and presented him as a champion in waiting.

Jordan denies that Honda exerted any pressure on him to sign Sato but whatever the paddock politics, there is no doubt that the man is a bit special. Forget stereotypes about highly-sponsored Japanese drivers struggling to make the Grand Prix grade. This time the country seems to have come up with the real deal.

"I want to give you a clear message. Sato is a unique driver," Jordan said as he announced that the British Formula Three champion would be replacing Jean Alesi in 2002.

Following Senna

"He speaks perfect English and he's quick. He has given up a normal life in Japan and his passion, commitment and determination should not be underestimated. About 18 years ago I gave a young man called Da Silva his first test," he recalled.

"He turned into the great Ayrton Senna. A number of Formula Three champions have gone on to become Formula One champions, including Senna.

"Sato is quick in the wet and quick in the dry. He can win from the front and win when he hasn't done so well in qualifying. We are hoping to see the first Japanese (Formula One) race winner and first World Champion. We must strive to make sure that happens."

"We are in a very lucky position."

Coming from the man who also gave Michael Schumacher his first Formula One drive a decade ago and launched the careers of Rubens Barrichello, Eddie Irvine and Alesi that is high praise indeed.

Good Business

But driving ability is only part of a far greater business stratagem. Jordan are one of two teams with Honda engines and the Japanese carmaker is more deeply involved with British American Racing (BAR) at present since they also help them with chassis design.

There have also been persistent rumours, regularly denied, that Honda may ultimately decide to focus their efforts on one team to meet the challenge of 2002 debutants Toyota. Putting a Honda-backed Japanese driver, who has been nurtured and funded by them and been BAR's test driver to boot, into his car for at least the next two seasons can only be good for Jordan.

It will do him no harm at all from a merchandising and sponsorship perspective either. Japan has some of the world's biggest carmakers in the world and a passion for motorsport in general. But while Japanese engines have won titles, notably with Williams and McLaren, the country has never produced a winning driver.

Only once, more than a decade ago, has a Japanese driver stood on the podium -- Aguri Suzuki finishing third at Suzuka in a Lola in 1990. Only three others - Ukyo Katayama, Satoru Nakajima, Shinji Nakano - have ever scored points.

Sato, in a competitive car and with a works engine behind him, could be the start of a whole new era.

"It's very good for the Japanese market," said Bridgestone motorsport boss Hiroshi Yasukawa at Suzuka. "We used to have lots of spectators but now honestly it's been going down a bit. But next year Toyota is coming, Sato is coming and maybe everybody else is coming and interest is back for Formula One."