By Phil Giles (03-02-03)
February 3 2003

Is Ralph Firman going to be Jordan's second driver for 2003? Rumours say that the 27 year old is to become Giancarlo Fisichella's team mate and that a seat fitting has taken place at the teams Silverstone base.

However, the team are yet to confirm that this is the case and indeed, told ITV-F1 that nothing has been signed.  It's believed that Firman was to undertake testing duties with the team quite possibly explaining his seat fitting, however further rumours suggest that after Felipe Massa's bid for the seat failed, Firman's management jumped into the void showing backing from a number of private Irish backers and Ford of Ireland.  Benson and Hedges are also believed to have increased their sponsorship as they now have the British driver they wanted.

However the team has yet to confirm that Firman's contract has been agreed or that Felipe Massa has withdrawn from any talks with the team.  Another name has also been thrown into the fray, that of Mclaren test driver Gary Paffett.

According to rumour and even the BBC, the drive is Firman's, however until the team confirm the deal I wouldn't believe the hype.