By Phil Giles
February 1 2004

All the signs say that Jos Verstappen has shot himself in the foot so far as a drive with the Silverstone based team for 2004 is concerned, however is all as bleak for the Dutchman as it seems?

Jos' official website was very very vocal in the run up to Jordan apparently agreeing to sign him for a drive, then suddenly, the Dutchman pulls out of the race for the seat giving no real reason for doing so.

Rumour has it that "The Boss" was scared off by a performance clause written into the contract, giving EJ the right to make some changes if he deemed them necessary.  But Jordan has remained tight lipped about the Jos saga. 

We've been told previously by the team that they will not comment whilst contract negotiations are ongoing and perhaps Perridon has decided to relieve the pressure on the team by keeping his trap shut.

Both Sky Sports and the BBC, along with an article in the Daily Telegraph say that Jos is to be announced as the second driver, leaving Firman and McNish out of the running.  Benson and Hedges, despite wanting a British driver have been happy to stay with the team for the last three seasons with Ralph Firman being the only Brit in that time to drive for them.  While tobacco advertising is still allowed in F1, it's a marketing opportunity that Gallagher would be silly to throw away just because there isn't a British driver in the car.

Perhaps then things aren't as bad as the Dutch make out and perhaps Jordan are playing their cards very close to their chest.  Just don't rule anything out, 'cos as Murray used to say "F1 is IF spelt backwards." 

He was always a bit mad that Murray Walker.