Eddie Hints at Takuma's Future
Fantastic 5th
By Phil Giles
October 13 2002
Eddie Jordan is delighted with Takuma's performance during the Japanese Grand Prix and admitted that the local lad has brought Jordan Millions in respect to travel costs and TV revenue.
However Jordan warned that Takuma needs to bring more money into F1 if he wants to stay as a driver. The comment really hints at Takuma's position for 2003 and the hint is not good for Sato's place at Jordan.
Eddie:
I have to admit I didn’t expect Takuma to come here and qualify seventh and
finish fifth, it has been a tough battle in the Championship midfield this
season and finishing sixth is very important to us as it brings us
respectability, I’m very pleased for Takuma as he did a great job. The
crowd went wild for him and I’m sure there will be a party in town tonight."
"He probably doesn’t know this but that’s worth a lot of money, that is! It was
not a good season for us but we had great faith in this boy and he’s done an
amazing job there today. There was a lot of pressure coming to his first home
grand prix and finishing fifth takes some doing.
It was good not just for the team but particularly for Takuma. People have said things that may not have been true but he has shown real talent this weekend. He was right on the money and that’s fantastic for him.
"For me he has been the star of the weekend."
However Jordan added: "We believe that he can make it and will make it. But he needs more yen. Japanese companies and businesses need to back him to make sure he is in Formula 1 next year. He has crashed a lot this season and cost us a lot of money but he has been amazing this weekend. People will go crazy and so they should because they have got a big star now. They just need to get behind him."
That doesn't sound to me like Takuma will be at Jordan in 2003.
Takuma was clearly delighted with his performance.
"It was just unbelievable. I could see the fans waving their flags for all 50
laps. They were so excited and it was tough to concentrate.
"I appreciate what the team has done – everything was perfect today. It is the best race I have had in Formula 1. I was so happy to score the two points for the team.
"I never gave up even when I was behind the two Renault cars. We were top of the middle group in the end so that’s great. I never expected to score the two points. Yesterday was great but today was fantastic.
"If you are driving there is no point in worrying about reliability but I saw two Honda engines blow up so I short-shifted for the last 10 laps to try and protect my engine.
"Eddie has congratulated me a lot," he smiled, "I am so happy to score points, although I never expected to score two points. It is a great day for everybody!"
"It is beautiful. We will have a very big party."
A Fantastic End To 2002
Courtesy Honda Press Office.
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