By Huw Alban
April 28 2002

Rumours circulated a while ago that Honda were considering the supply of only one team in 2003, and with Sato driving with Jordan the Silverstone team looked comfortable. With the poor season Honda has had, a one engine supply in 2003 looks more likely.

Jordan's Honda works supply deal looks to be under more threat than ever, with quotes emerging that suggest that new BAR boss Dave Richards has made strong progress in firming his teams relationship with Japan. Both Jordan and BAR have had a dismal start to the 2002 season, and both have partially blamed the Honda engine for lacking top end power.

Despite a tweak for the San Marino Grand Prix, both teams have yet to score in the championship. In addition, fellow Japanese engine marque Toyota have shown that they can outpace both the Honda powered cars, and have points on the board.

Honda boss Takeo Fukui admitted the company may be forced to reconsider its decision to supply two teams if results do not pick up soon. "We are contracted to Jordan for three years from when we signed last year. Of course, we are reviewing this every year and I cannot deny that we have to rethink the whole situation," Fukui reportedly told Autosport magazine.

"I am awfully disappointed that we have not been able to provide any positive news for the past three races. And I do feel we seriously have to rehash our operation and use this Imola race as our turning point. "With our CART operation stopping there is going to be a huge flow of experience and knowledge from there to F1. The entire Honda effort will be concentrated on F1. That is our strategy."