Sato not in Jordan frame - yet...

A source close to the driver said Eddie Jordan has not held talks with the British Formula 3 Championship leader since the dismissal of the three-time Grand Prix-winner Frentzen.

The Japanese racer was one of the leading names tipped to fill the vacant seat later this season or next year. Sato has not only proved startlingly quick in the F1 feeder series, but he also has sponsorship from Jordan engine-supplier Honda, which is thought to be willing to put money behind him if he does make it into F1.

But sources close to the driver say there has been no contact with Jordan since Frentzen's dismissal.

One possible problem with the move to the team that gave him his first F1 test last year is Sato's ongoing testing contract with Honda-powered rivals BAR. They have already confirmed Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis for next season and have no room for him.

Japanese drivers have generally failed to perform in F1, but Sato has been hailed by his F3 team manager Trevor Carlin as "dynamite".

Sato is runaway leader of the British series, heading Irishman Derek Hayes by 63 points with four double-header rounds remaining.

"He is going to be in F1 sooner or later; it is just a question of which team he is with," said Carlin. "He is good enough to drive for Ferrari, McLaren or Williams but he will have to go where the seats are.

"He deserves an F1 drive on merit, not because of his Honda links," he added. "I've seen him with Kimi Raikkonen and he is as least as good as Raikkonen, if not better."