Jordan to name 2004 drivers by Tuesday?

Jordan Grand Prix look set announce at least one of their drivers for 2004 in the coming week, according to reports in the media today.

British newspaper The Independent, and BBC Sport Online are carrying stories, predicting that the Silverstone based squad is 'close to announcing it's line-up.'

A number of drivers have been in talks with the team, however Jos Verstappen and Nick Heidfeld are the latest to be grilled by team boss, Eddie Jordan. The German, who raced for Sauber last season, has a provisional contract with the team, subject to the guarantee of sufficient sponsorship.

It appears that at least one will be named by next Tuesday [20 January], when the team resumes testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona.

Jordan spokesperson, Helen Temple, told BBC Sport Online: "We don't plan to announce our drivers this week but you never know and that may change.

"Jos Verstappen came in on Monday to have a meeting with Eddie [Jordan] and those discussions will be continuing in the coming days.

"We're also talking very closely with Nick Heidfeld."

"Whoever is named for the test next week may not be the same driver that races for us, but it could be," she continued.

"I don't think you could say that any driver was our number one choice, but there are a couple of drivers we've been talking to more recently."

Amongst the other candidates are British drivers Allan McNish and Ralph Firman, both possibilities as the team's main sponsor, Benson and Hedges, traditionally likes to have a British-born driver in the line-up.

Verstappen is now thought to be the favourite, mainly because he will bring around ?10million to the squad in sponsorship - something it may not be able to pass up.