By Phil Giles
July 15 2004

Not so much a news story but I thought I'd try and make some sense of the rumours that are doing the rounds at the moment. Please remember that this is just speculation on what might happen in the event of a take over and is deduced from stories and information found elsewhere on the internet.

Rumour 1: Potential Buy-Out.

A statement issued by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum and the Emirate of Dubai said that "Grand Prix Investments (GPI)  is in negotiations to acquire, operate and manage a Formula One team, to be headquartered in Dubai."  Immediately, the web press and some of the more respected paper media leapt on Jordan as the prime candidate for purchase.  We must point out that BAR, Minardi and Jaguar have also been linked here.

Jordan have not denied that they may be in talks with GBI, however they issued a statement over the British Grand Prix weekend saying "It is clearly not unusual for Jordan to be linked to all sorts of speculation and such like.  I'm sure the royal family are speaking to a number of different teams and we really have no comment to make at this point." 

Eddie has said on previous occasions that he would do what he could to get Jordan back to the top but "It would have Eddie Jordan involved in it because it's my life and my passion."

The rumour mill suggests that Jordan's partners Merrion Capital may be looking to sell their 49% investment in the team and that it may be this that the GBI are interested in.  Eddie owns the remaining 51% controlling interest in the team and as such, any buy out would need to see the ratio swapped with GBI owning the controlling stock to oust EJ. 

The team would have it's headquarters in Dubai, however the team would be run from it's current European base.  Speculation suggests however that there would only be an office in Dubai.  If Jordan are the team involved then there would either be an expansion of the current facility or the team would be able to build the brand new factory premises that they currently have planning permission for.  There would also be a full scale wind tunnel attached to the factory and still in spitting distance of the Silverstone racing circuit.

Eddie told the Official F1 website "There are some very exciting and positive developments in the pipeline for next year which should enable us to get back to the front of the grid again and start doing what Jordan does best, rattling the cages of the big boys."

Perhaps, there's more to this rumour than we first thought.

Rumour 2: Nick and Williams

Nick Heidfeld has been rumoured to be testing for Williams on Friday and then will be released by Jordan to race for the Grove based team for the rest of the season.  The move would tie the German to the BMW powerplant in the back of the car. Eddie has said that he would be willing to help Nick move to a top team.

BMW have stated that they would be happy for test driver Marc Gene to continue as Ralf Schumacher's replacement until Schuey Jnr is fit to return to racing.

Nick however isn't the only driver to be linked to Williams.  Last seasons race winning Jordan driver Giancarlo Fisichella has also been mentioned, along with Jaguar's Mark Webber (Although the latter has ruled such a move out.)

This my friends is going to be a very interesting few months.  Talk about it on our messageboard.