Jordan's Silly Season Starts With Sauber

Ciao then.
By Phil Giles
August 26 2003

Now that Giancarlo has confirmed that his driving talent will benefit Sauber for 2004, the fans thoughts turn to who will replace him in the EJ14.

Driver number two Ralph Firman has already accepted that his drive with the team is under fire.  Jordan who are still recuperating from a massive drop in budget with the loss of DHL and DP will be looking for a driver that pays his way.  Giancarlo's abandoning ship should save the team £3million and perhaps could take on some of the cost of bringing someone in.

At least one of the ousted Sauber team could be on his way to Jordan.  EJ has suggested that Nick Heidfeld would be very welcome at the Silverstone HQ and current rumour suggests that 1999 Jordan driver Heinz Harald Frentzen is eying Jordan as his only hope for a race drive next year.

Eddie who suddenly fired Heinz, just before his home race said "all those 'problems' had now gone away.  We all know what happened by now, but I don't see why we wouldn't be able to work again in the future.  I don't see why not, why wouldn't we want to sign up another German?" he said.

However the Sauber couple aren't the only folks eyeing Jordan for a return to a race seat.  Allan McNish (currently Toyota's test driver) is understood to have had a lengthy chat with EJ at the Hungaroring.  Given the improved performance of the Renault this season, there may be a few secrets that Allan could bring with him.

The silly season has started in earnest and no doubt will continue right up until the EJ14's launch next year.  Keep watching.