Massa Hoping for Jordan Deal by Weekend

Felipe Massa has agreed terms with Jordan but has yet to sign a deal with the Formula One team, the young Brazilian driver's spokesman said today.

"In terms of negotiations it has all been settled," Marcio Fonseca told Reuters. "The terms have been settled. The only thing missing is for him to sign. We imagine they (Jordan) are talking to other drivers.

"On our side everything is ready, it should happen before the end of the week. Felipe Massa is anxious for it to be resolved."

Jordan's marketing director Mark Gallagher said last week that Massa and Briton Ralph Firman led the team's shortlist for the last available slot in Formula One and an internal decision was expected this week.

Italian Giorgio Pantano is also in the running but Briton Eddie Irvine has ruled himself out after leaving Jaguar at the end of last year. A team spokeswoman said today that they were still talking to several drivers and Fonseca recognised that the situation could change and there could still be surprises.

Jordan have said that whoever replaces Japan's Takuma Sato, who has now joined BAR as a test driver, must bring in a significant amount of sponsorship. Massa, 21, is highly rated and drove for Sauber in his debut season last year but lost his place to Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

Jordan have been testing with just Italian Giancarlo Fisichella in an unmarked black car, with the team still to announce a title sponsor for the season that starts in Australia on March 9.

They currently have only one version of the Ford-powered EJ13 car ready but another is due to be finished by the time the team tests again on February 10 in Valencia.