Sato all set for Jordan seat in 2002

Following comments from team boss Eddie Jordan over the US Grand Prix weekend about Formula 1 needing new blood to take the fight to world champion Michael Schumacher, all signs point to Sato stepping up to F1 next year with the Silverstone-based team.

"It just seems to be that there's a number of young drivers who have a really strong ability," Jordan told Autosport. "It is trying to find the correct one that is difficult. Who would Michael Schumacher look out for races? There is a very good group of drivers in F1 at the moment, maybe it would take somebody new to challenge him."

Depsite Sato emerging as the favourite, F1 veteran Jean Alesi is very keen to hold onto his seat for 2002 and is known to have issued Jordan with an ultimatum to find out whether he will keep his drive before the Japanese GP. However, according to a team insider, the Frenchman has already been told that his services are not required for next year.

Sato has dominated the British F3 Championship this year and has impressed the British American Racing team for which he is currently test driver. Contrary to reports, the 24-year-old is due to drive a BAR003 around the streets of Tokyo next Monday as part of a promotional parade and not a Jordan, but he does not have a long-term deal with Craig Pollock's team.

This year's Formula 3000 International champion Justin Wilson could yet prove to be a stumbling block to Sato's graduation to Grand Prix racing. The Englishman impressed the Jordan team during his maiden F1 outing in difficult conditions at Silverstone two weeks ago and he has been handed another chance to prove his worth at Mugello this week.

"Clearly Jordan wouldn't test Justin again if they weren't interested in evaluating him with more time in the car," said Wilson's manager, former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer.

However, sources suggest that Sato's deal is all but signed and that it is just a matter of time before he is confirmed. His strong links with Jordan's engine supplier Honda is also a big vote in his favour.

With Japanese the marque expected to reduce its supply to one team for 2003 it must choose between Jordan and BAR and the former would be a more appealing option with a rising Japanese star in one of its cars. However, Honda has insisted that it stands back from any decisions regarding drivers.

For the full story on Sato and Jordan including comments from Alesi and Sato's manager, see this week's Autosport.