Jordan Say their Honda Deal is Long-Term

Honda's engine deal with Jordan is a long-term one, the Formula One team said after the Japanese manufacturer extended a partnership agreement with rivals BAR.

"Jordan Grand Prix has just completed the first year of a three-year contract with Honda," the team said in a statement on Wednesday. "At a meeting of the two companies last Friday, both parties re-affirmed their commitment to this agreement. An option exists for the supply to be extended for 2004 and 2005 and this will be discussed at the appropriate time."

The Japanese carmaker currently supplies both Jordan and British American Racing, but the new BAR deal announced on Tuesday covers the next three years and also involves chassis development. That deal revived doubts about Honda's long-term plans to continue with two teams.

Eddie Jordan said the deal is confirmed: "Honda's total commitment to Formula One for the long term which is good for the sport and for both Jordan and BAR. Honda has an unrivalled record in Formula One, and from 2002 will be putting even more resources into the programme.

"Much is made of the rivalry between Jordan and BAR; it is a challenge which I think we both enjoy and it is certainly a great motivator for all of us. I feel confident that Jordan will soon deliver Honda its first victory of this engagement on Formula One."

Jordan finished the season fifth overall, ahead of BAR in sixth, after winning an appeal against the exclusion of Italian Jarno Trulli at Indianapolis. BAR have yet to win a race while Jordan's last was with German Heinz-Harald Frentzen at Monza in Italy in 1999 in a Mugen-Honda powered car.