Jordan could still have a British driver next season - despite claims from Brazil that Sauber refugee
Felipe Massa remains in line to join
Giancarlo Fisichella at the
Silverstone team this year.
Conflicting reports from Brazil have been further complicated by news in Britain's
Sunday Mirror newspaper that reigning German Formula Three champion Gary Paffett is still being considered by team boss Eddie Jordan, who is hoping to land a British driver in order to appease former title sponsor Benson & Hedges. With Ford powering the team this year, there is added incentive to bring 'local' talent on board - and Paffett fits the bill best of all courtesy of his connection to the Blue Oval-sponsored Zip Young Guns kart team.
Paffett's inclusion in the list of possibles brings the number of Britons hoping to partner Fisichella to three, with Ralph Firman and Richard Lyons both also rumoured to be in the frame to act as either race or test driver with Jordan in 2003. Meanwhile, Massa's management insist that all that is required to get the former Sauber pilot into the seat is a signature on a contract - although separate sources in Brazil claim that Massa is moving further out of the picture rather than further into it.
According to the newspaper report, whoever finally gets the seat will have had to find at least £2million to pay for the privilege - something that Massa, even in troubled times for the Brazilian economy is more likely to be able to do than any of his British rivals. However, having seen fellow countryman Justin Wilson make the jump to
Formula One with Minardi for a similar fee, Paffett's manager and mentor, kart hero Martin Hines, is going all out to raise the budget.
"If I've got to find the money I will," he told the
Mirror, "If the chance is there, Gary deserves it. We're doing all we can.
