Jordan driver announcements & impact of new FIA funds (merged)

[ralf fan]

they will announce when they find someone with enough money

[NiceGuyEddie]

Future of indie teams secured
Extra £12million to be received by each squad


Extra money could be the key to Jordan completing a deal with Nick Heidfeld


Doubts about the long-term future of Formula 1's independently-owned teams should be secured during the next fortnight, following the landmark deal between F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone and the manufacturers threatening a breakaway series, according to this week's AUTOSPORT.

The agreement, which was reached before Christmas, should provide enough of a financial boost to guarantee that teams such as Jordan and Minardi will survive. AUTOSPORT understands that the new deal could add another £12million in revenue to each of the 10 teams that currently complete.

Eddie Jordan added: "If the financials are what we estimated and hoped for, this will be a great help to privateers as well as manufacturers. It is good news for F1."

This is part of an article featured on autosport.com.

This means that Jordan gets 12 million pounds. It could very well mean that Heidfeld finds himself in the 2004 Jordan-seat after all. He does have a deal with a team, albeit a prelimenary one:

Nick Heidfeld has signed a preliminary contract to race for Jordan in 2004.

The German, who will kick off Jordan’s winter testing programme at Jerez this week, is understood to have agreed a one-year deal, subject to the team finding more sponsorship money.

When it turns out that these 12 million pounds plus whatever the paydriver is bringing in, Jordan's budget for 2004 is done according to plan.

Both McNish and Verstappen are in line for this second seat. Verstappen has got the financial backing, McNish doesnt, but he seems to be the choice of both Ford and B&H

McNish joins hunt for Jordan drive
Scot in with a fighting chance for seat

McNish had previously been seen as a rank outsider because he did not have the personal backing to match Jos Verstappen, but he is understood to be a desirable choice for main Jordan sponsor Benson & Hedges. He is also popular with engine supplier Ford.

McNish, who was test driver for Renault in 2003, has been in personal discussion with both the team and Ford motorsport director Jost Capito.

“I am continuing to hold detailed talks both with Eddie Jordan and Jost. If things continue the way they are going at the moment then I should be able to confirm something in a few weeks.” (autosport.com)

McNish also is the only driver in line for a Bridgestone-team that has extensive and recent experience with Michelinrubber, which could be valuable for the upcoming tyrewar.

Summing up:
Jordan driverlineup: Nick Heidfeld and Allan McNish

[BootsOntheSide]

That'd certainly be the world's shortest racing team. Can anyone think of any other pairings average 5'4 or less?

Allan's development skill is clearly impressive, adn there's no way Jordan can hire a specialist development driver. I hadn't thought of the Michelin experience aspect, but that's even more valuable. If B&H or Ford can up their funding based on Allan's selection, or money isn't a massive aspect for the team, he's ideal.

Nick is certainly the most capable experienced driver who would consider this ride, and maybe his nationality would increase Eddie's chances of hooking up wtih Mercedes or BMW in future. Nick ought to be determined to prove himself after getting axed by Sauber, and knows all about fighting in the midfield.

I'd've liked to see Justin get the drive, but that's not practical alongside one of these guys, and this could prove to be a good combination for Eddie.

[GTRMagic]

Financially it would make more sense to have Jos there, even if it is only for a single season.

Not sure McNish will be loads of help with the 20 day test rule for Friday teams, and no budget to use even one of those 20 days.

Financially, even with the 12m pounds, it still makes sense for Verstappen to rock up... put a performance clause in his deal saying he can be replaced midseason if he underperforms....

[bosch!]

Villeneuve and McNish with Polock buying a stake in Jordan

[mountainstar]

Remember last year money and cheap engines and **** were promised to the privateer teams and it all came to nothing. So with the 12 million pounds deal, I would not be counting the money until it is in the bank.

[steve nielsen]

Originally posted by GTRMagic
Financially it would make more sense to have Jos there, even if it is only for a single season.

Not sure McNish will be loads of help with the 20 day test rule for Friday teams, and no budget to use even one of those 20 days.

Financially, even with the 12m pounds, it still makes sense for Verstappen to rock up... put a performance clause in his deal saying he can be replaced midseason if he underperforms....

If Jos has a good car he won't underperform and the sponsors will never accept such clauses.

[Wrex]

Originally posted by steve nielsen
If Jos has a good car he won't underperform and

Has'nt stopped him before

[steve nielsen]

Originally posted by Wrex
Has'nt stopped him before

only in his rookie year in a car the was almost undrivable for anyone but Michael Schumacher.

[GTRMagic]

Originally posted by steve nielsen
If Jos has a good car he won't underperform and the sponsors will never accept such clauses.

Depends if you put Albers in as a replacement option

[steve nielsen]

Those sponsors are more than just sponsors for Jos, they won't just sponsor Albers and BTW: Jos is a much better driver than Albers.

[Wrex]

IY(not so)HO

[NiceGuyEddie]

Originally posted by GTRMagic
Financially it would make more sense to have Jos there, even if it is only for a single season.

For the money, sure, but as a driver, Jos isn't a better proposition than McNish. Don't forget, Jos is horrible on the development side. At Arrows, he proposed a new frontwheelsuspension. Didn't work, the older one (steel) was better. Same happened with a new front wing. At the end, Mike Coughlan himself put an end to Jos technical suggestions. He tested at Jordan in 1999 and they were less than impressed, he tested at Benneton in 1998 and they were -well- polite, but never asked him again. The Honda in 1999 was quick out of the box, so that isn't really accountable to the testdriver. Besides, we all know what BAR did in the winter of 98/99 and how less it all meant when the chips were down. On top of it all, Jos was the only driver to ever run the car. Perhaps Nakano did a few laps as well, but thats about it.

Allan, on the other hand, is one of the best enduranceracers in the world (so he knows how to keep a car in one piece, yet go like hell with it) and is renowned for his developmentskills.

The age-factor can't be decisive since Jos and Allan are both in their young 30's which is just too old to start anything new in F1.

But we all know it's going to be down to money. Jos has more of it, but I suspect the people who want McNish (Ford and B&H) are far more powerful within the team than a sponsor who is already handing out signs that 2004 is going to be the last donating year.

Nevertheless, this is a situation Jos knows very well. Since 1994 he was pratically always the last driver to be confirmed for an upcoming season. Only in 2001 he signed a deal in june for 2002, but we all know what happened with that contract. As soon as a better driver came available, it was bound for the papershredder. Just to give you an idea of how wanted Jos actually is in the paddock (and even 10 milion dollars can't guarantee him a seat).

So, I'm hoping for McNish. Leaving Heidfeld out of the equation for 2004 would simply be wrong.

[steve nielsen]

The new front suspension Jos sugested DID work Eddie, the team just did'nt want it on the car anymore since Bernoldi did'nt like it and they did'nt want 2 different front suspensions, in fact: the new one was made of steel(it was just a test, so they had not made a carbon version yet).

but: Jos was faster with that suspension.

and the reason the Jos stopped testing the Benetton(after more than one test and a few shakedowns) was that he joined Stewart.

[Wrex]

Originally posted by steve nielsen
and the fact the Jos stopped testing the Benetton(after more than one test) was that he joined Stewart

Ohh, do tell, what happened there?

[steve nielsen]

what happened to every driver in the 2nd Stewart or Jaguar car

[Wrex]

touche

[NiceGuyEddie]

Originally posted by steve nielsen
The new front suspension Jos sugested DID work Eddie, the team just did'nt want it on the car anymore since Bernoldi did'nt like it and they did'nt want 2 different front suspensions, in fact: the new one was made of steel(it was just a test, so they had not made a carbon version yet).

Really? Didn't they use it because Bernoldi didn't like it?

Still doesn't make Jos an excellent developmentdriver, does it?

[steve nielsen]

Jos was faster with it, thats for sure, so slightly that shorther wheelbase(that's what the suspension was for) did help with the understeer problems, but the team did'nt want 2 different suspensions for development reasons, they did bring that suspension to several GP's before it was sidelined.

[Mr V]

But who was quicker?

Jos with his suspension or Bernoldi with the other type?

[RWC]

I hear some 'gentleman' from sicily has his son in the running purely due to his money and,er persuasive tendencies,lol.
Apparently the family business is all about 'collecting' money so they should all fit in well in f1 (and especially jordan)

[Testure]

A choice between McNish and Verstappen is a choice between the Trust money and the B&H money for a British driver. No contest, B&H are far more important to the team.

[steve nielsen]

Originally posted by Testure
A choice between McNish and Verstappen is a choice between the Trust money and the B&H money for a British driver. No contest, B&H are far more important to the team.

why a choice between those 2??, EJ can hire them both.

[steve nielsen]

and BTW: B&H might be important now, but in 2 years time tabaco advertising will be banned.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by steve nielsen
and BTW: B&H might be important now, but in 2 years time tabaco advertising will be banned.

But Jordan have to survive those 2 years. Anyway, in 2 years (even 2 months if Jos doesn't get the drive ) Jos won't be in F1, Jordan will lose "trust" and they would be where they are now.