Jordan looking for a Chinese Takeaway.

To sell up?
By Phil Giles
November 21 2003

Jordan's future seems set on co-operation with the people and government of the Far East. Eddie Jordan speaking to Autosport magazine seems prepared to allow a chunk of the team, if not all of the remaining 51% share to be bought out by a Chinese delegation.

Eddie's wish is to remain in charge of the team if such a proposition is made.  During the last GP Season, Jordan made substantial in-roads into an otherwise untapped market.  Jordan secured sponsorship deals with the Shanghai Circuit where the 2004 Chinese Grand Prix will be run, as well as Central China Television who will use the Jordan brand during it's F1 promotion.

The Chinese government is keen to become further involved in the sport and are looking to get a Chinese driver into a race seat.  Jordan are no strangers to new talent spotting and Eddie has pledged to help them find a young driver to bring into the sport. "I will do my best to help nurture the first Chinese Formula One driver and I would like to see Chinese faces in my team in the future." He said.

The far eastern interest in Jordan may not stop at just a driver.  The suggestion from Eddie is that a buyout could create a national team, owned by the Chinese but based at Jordan's current UK Headquarters in Silverstone. “It is not difficult to have a Chinese team in F1,” said EJ. “Maybe interests in Macau, Hong Kong or elsewhere can buy an existing team and run it from there. I'm currently looking at something like that.”

There is no truth in the rumour that once you sell an F1 team to the Chinese, half an hour later you want to sell another, however Williams are also understood to be exploring the far east market.

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