McNish seeks Jordan chance

Should Nick Heidfeld sign-up as Jordan's lead driver as expected, it only leaves one vacant seat on the F1 grid for 2004. McNish is ruled out of the third driver role next year due to his race experience in 2002.

"I'm still talking with Jordan at the moment and things are progressing," said McNish. "I've visited the factory and seen the car and the wind tunnel, and I'm right up to speed with where the team is. There's been so much speculation recently over this seat with Jordan, but that's only to be expected with only a few places left up for grabs. However, with the new testing regulations, it puts even more emphasis on an experienced driver.

"All I can say at the moment is that I firmly believe I can do the job for Jordan, both on and off the track. I've made no secret of wanting to get back on the grid, and after such a good 2003 with Renault it has only increased my desire to be racing again."

Jordan also has 2003 driver Ralph Firman plus Dutchman Jos Verstappen waiting in the wings, both of whom are likely to bring personal sponsorship to the team. McNish also faces opposition from former Jaguar racer Justin Wilson.

Eddie Jordan told The Guardian today (Thursday): "My main target is to get all the sponsorship I need and then decide on the drivers."

Should McNish fail to land the drive, the Scot says he has other options outside F1, most likely in sportscars.

"At the moment I'm just concentrating on working things out with Jordan but I am in the very fortunate position of having a number of options open to me so we'll just have to see how things pan out," he said.