Salo Set To Opt For Ford.

Mika Salo looks increasingly likely to sign for the Ford/Jaguar team for next season, despite having other offers on the table.


The Finn has seen his stock rise considerably in the space of two races, since standing in for Michael Schumacher at Ferrari. From being a forgotten man, Salo is now the hottest available property in Formula One, and has recently been offered at least six drives for next year.

Mika Salo looks increasingly likely to sign for the Ford/Jaguar team for next season, despite having other offers on the table.


The Finn has seen his stock rise considerably in the space of two races, since standing in for Michael Schumacher at Ferrari. From being a forgotten man, Salo is now the hottest available property in Formula One, and has recently been offered at least six drives for next year.


The two strongest options look to lie with Ford or Sauber, as seats at Jordan and BAR are filled, and Williams and Benetton consider their options. Although the former Stewart outfit is likely to give Salo the best chance of success in 2000, he admits to be tempted by Sauber's links with current employers Ferrari.


It is more probable, however, that Salo will join current team-mate Eddie Irvine at Ford, thereby continuing the rapport the pair have shown at Maranello since Schumacher's accident. Both raced in the Japanese F3000 (now Nippon) series in the early 1990s, and clearly get on well together. Whatever he decides, though, Salo will almost certainly sign before the Hungarian Grand Prix.


"I haven't signed anything yet," he said, "but I will before Hungary - in case I screw it all up there!"


Irvine, too, has apparently yet to sign a deal for 2000, but is strongly rumoured to have an agreement with Jackie Stewart's team. The Scot dropped the biggest hint that Irvine had decided to leave Ferrari by suggesting that he was a better driver than Schumacher.


"Eddie is technically better that Michael, but perhaps not ultimately quite as quick," Stewart said.

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