JULY 29, 1996

Panis offered a Jordan drive

JORDAN GRAND PRIX is already casting around for a new driver for next season and has had discreet talks in recent weeks with the likes of Jan Magnussen, Jos Verstappen, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Olivier Panis. Magnussen is tipped to be on his way to Stewart, Verstappen is likely to stay with Arrows and Frentzen is rumored to be on his way to Williams.

The choice of Panis would please Peugeot and Total although the French companies say they do not mind who drives the cars so long as the drivers are the fastest available.

Jordan may also end up talking to Jean Alesi as the Frenchman's future at Benetton must be in some doubt. There are also rumors that Mika Hakkinen is moving to the team from McLaren. Jordan, however, will not be making any decisions for some time because it must first wait to see which of the leading drivers become available.