Jordan Seeks Heidfeld Release.

Nick Heidfeld moved firmly into contention for Damon Hill's Jordan seat when it emerged that the Silverstone team has discussed his future with contract holders McLaren.


The Formula 3000 championship leader has already made it clear that he is seeking an F1 seat for next season, and is among several possibilities being considered as Hill's replacement. Although the 1996 world champion's future remains far from clear, Heidfeld is already thought to be at the front of Eddie Jordan's mind for next season.


The major obstacle between the German and a Jordan seat lies with his McLaren contract. Like Ricardo Zonta before him, Heidfeld is technically the property of McLaren, and would have to obtain at least a loan agreement from the Woking team to drive elsewhere. Despite this, however, Heidfeld revealed that talks were taking place between the two parties.


'If there was a chance I would like to [drive for Jordan],' he said, "But I don't know how much truth there is in the stories. It is my manager Norbert Haug and Ron Dennis who are trying to fix something there - for me, it is more important to concentrate on F3000."


"I haven't spoken to Eddie Jordan or anyone at the team personally yet - at the moment I am waiting to see how talks progress. I have quite a good chance of being in F1 next year. F3000 is the second highest class and if you are doing well that should give you a good chance to get into F1."