Jordan to Carry Toyota Branding in 2005

Jordan's Toyota-powered EJ15 cars will bear allegiance to the Japanese car company despite announcements to the contrary.

The Japanese company signed a last-minute deal with Jordan last November after Ford, who supplied engines to the team in 2004, announced they and their Cosworth company were pulling out of Formula One.

Last year's media release announcing the supply arrangement stated "the agreement between Toyota Motorsport and Jordan Grand Prix will not result in a re-branding of the Jordan team in 2005 and the Toyota name and logo will not be used in conjunction with those of Jordan Grand Prix next season."

A Toyota spokesperson, however, admitted there had been a change of policy.

"That (no branding) was the original intention, but earlier this week we changed it," the spokesperson told Atlas F1. "There is a FIA regulation requiring engine supplier to be used in conjunction with the make of car, and we are complying with that."

The team gave their new Formula One car its track debut on Monday, less than a month before the season starts in Australia on March 6.

Jordan's latest statement mentioned Toyota and further references to the combination are included in the body of Jordan's release, whilst 'Powered By Toyota' appeared on the car's engine cover.

Jordan were taken over by the Midland Group, run by Russian-born Canadian businessman Alex Shnaider, last month after struggling to survive last season.