By Phil Giles
November 9 2002

Irv the Swerve has told an Italian newspaper that he is in talks with Jordan over a prospective seat for the 2003 Season. "I can now say that I'm talking to Jordan. I would say that they are not only my best but also my only possibility in Formula One," Irvine told the Gazzetta dello Sport paper.
"Nothing has been decided yet, but I have a god feeling" He added.

Jordan have advised that they already have two drivers "under contract" for 2003, although we know that contracts mean very little in F1 these days.  The teams would rather risk large lawsuits against them for breach of contract rather than losing sponsors.  Benson and Hedges are known to want a British driver in the car and may be in a position to pay Irvine's wage bill, however the Irishman may have to accept a real drop in wages to stay in the sport.

Takuma Sato is clearly the driver under threat from Irvine's possible employment.  While Taku didn't start too well, he has shown a talent and maturity over the last season, culminating with a superb qualifying and drive during the Japanese Grand Prix.  After that spectacular drive, Taku's popularity in his home nation absolutely went through the roof with Brother pledging to continue their sponsorship and having Takuma at the press conference to announce this clearly shows that corporate Japan is as much behind Taku as Eddie J wanted them to be.

In his interview, Irvine went on to criticise former boss Niki Lauda in the report, claiming that the Austrian isn't in the same league of other team bosses such as Frank Williams, Ron Dennis and Jean Todt.  Does Jordan really need someone like this?
 

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