Sato's exit lifeline for Irvine
Takuma Sato’s exit from Jordan could hand a Formula One lifeline to Eddie Irvine.
The Japanese driver confirmed he will join British American Racing as a test driver after coming to an “amicable agreement” to end his contract with Jordan.
Cash worries – brought on by main sponsor Deutsche Post’s pull-out – have forced team boss Eddie Jordan to look for a paying driver to partner Giancarlo Fisichella next season.
That could open the door for Irvine, without a drive since Jaguar opted not to renew his contract at the end of this season.
Jordan sponsors Benson & Hedges are believed to be keen to have him on board.
Irvine is believed to face competition from former Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi, who would bring substantial backing from Red Bull, while former Sauber driver Felipe Massa is also in the frame.
Despite showing Sato the door, Jordan is convinced the 25-year-old can build on the fine fifth position he scored at the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix.
He said: “Takuma Sato has natural driving talent and a lot of bravery. We had an eventful and exciting season together this year.
“I have every confidence in him and I hope he will build on the ability that we saw demonstrated in Suzuka – perhaps one of the best drives of the season.”
Sato’s move to BAR – initially for a year as test driver before a possible two years in a race seat – looks like marking the end of Jacques Villeneuve’s career with the Brackley-based squad.
Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, will be out of contract at the end of next season and team boss David Richards has hinted he is unlikely to offer the Canadian another lucrative deal.
Sato is already looking forward to claiming that race seat after clocking up vital testing miles in 2003.
He said: “I’ve spoken to (BAR tester) Anthony Davidson about it, I know him well because we were Formula Three team-mates in 2001.
“He did maybe twice as much mileage driving a Formula One car as me. And mileage is so important in Formula One.
“Obviously going back to being a test driver is not ideal, but I will be developing a car that I could be racing in 2004, which will be good preparation.
“And who knows, there might even be a chance to race in 2003 as I am the reserve race driver.
“I am already excited about the possibility of a race seat in 2004. That will be fantastic.”
