From Planet F1, 29th June 2000:
June 29: Planet F1 can reveal that Jordan are
on the verge of announcing a works engine
deal with Honda.
Planet F1 has learned that Jordan have secured a
deal with Honda to use their V10 engines in 2001.
The deal, set to be publicly announced this
weekend, will give Jordan equal status with British
American Racing and is certain to ensure that
Heinz-Harald Frentzen remains with the Silverstone
based outfit. Team boss Eddie Jordan is
understandably delighted, and has thanked Honda
for their commitment to his team.
"This is a massive breakthrough for Benson &
Hedges Jordan. To have the support and
commitment of Honda gives renewed credibillty to
our ambitions to win the World Championship,”
Jordan said.
“I believe that Jordan-Honda now represents the
most exciting technical package for the years
ahead. Finally I would like to thank Mr Hirotoshi,
Honda and Mugen for their great support and their
encouragement in creating the platform for the
future."
Although this is tremendous news for Jordan, it will
be greeted with mixed reactions by BAR. It's
believed that the Japanese giant is not overly
impressed with the Brackley based outfit's
progress this season and sees the Jordan deal as
an opportunity to get back to the top of the podium
that little bit quicker.
"Along with our joint development of chassis
technology with BAR, supplying works engines to
Jordan represents a new challenge in Honda's third
period of participation in F1," said Takeo Fukui,
Senior Managing and Representative Director of
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., in charge of Honda's motor
sports activities.
"Through these efforts, we will continue to do our
utmost to meet the expectations of motor sports
fans.”
It's widely believed that Bernie Ecclestone and Max
Mosley are keen to see engine manufacturers
supply more than one team, and with pit-lane
pundits predicting that such a ruling could be made
official within the next couple of years, by signing
this deal Honda have pre-empted any changes in
the regulations.
How this will affect the Jacques Villeneuve situation
is unknown, but it's believed that Benetton have
now increased their previous bid of £15m for the
Canadian's services. However it's understood that
Renault are unhappy with the former champion's
unwillingness to do promotional work.
Frentzen for WDC 2001... YES!
