Lyons misses out on F1 chance
Richard Lyons has failed in his quest to land a Jordan race seat for the Japanese Grand Prix, but the Northern Irish ace remains optimistic that he will get a test for the Silverstone-based team after the end of the season
Jordan is considering its options for the final races of the campaign after parting with Giorgio Pantano ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix and, as autosport.com exlusively revealed, Lyons had been one of the main contenders to join Nick Heidfeld at Suzuka.
But, despite also pushing for a maiden F1 test with one of the teams present at Jerez in Spain this week, Lyons has now abandoned his grand prix ambitions for the time being and is returning to Japan to focus on his championship ambitions in Formula Nippon.
"We've just run out of time with Jordan, but we were very, very close," said Lyons. "David Kennedy [Lyons' advisor] is working on a winter test programme with them and a drive in 2005.
"In the meantime I've got to concentrate on winning the Formula Nippon and GT Championships."
Lyons currently lies third in the Formula Nippon title standings after two non-score outings have allowed rivals Andre Lotterer and Juichi Wakisaka to move ahead of him. There are two rounds remaining.
Jordan is likely to stick with German Timo Glock for the Japanese Grand Prix unless a driver with major financial backing comes forward.
Miller "as surprised as you" at Portugal MotoGP lap record in practice
Miller "as surprised as you" at Portugal MotoGP lap record in practice Miller "as surprised as you" at Portugal MotoGP lap record in practice
Frijns: "No pain" ahead of Formula E Sao Paulo return after wrist break
Frijns: "No pain" ahead of Formula E Sao Paulo return after wrist break Frijns: "No pain" ahead of Formula E Sao Paulo return after wrist break
MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash
MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash MotoGP doctor gives Pol Espargaro update after violent Portugal FP2 crash
Sao Paulo E-Prix "could go down to the last lap" due to slipstreaming nature
Sao Paulo E-Prix "could go down to the last lap" due to slipstreaming nature Sao Paulo E-Prix "could go down to the last lap" due to slipstreaming nature
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.