DECEMBER 23, 1996

...so Jordan tests Fisichella

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA spent two days last week testing for the Jordan-Peugeot team at Jerez de la Frontera. The 23-year-old from Rome is under a long-tern contract with Minardi but has been lent out to Alfa Romeo in recent years to drive in the International Touring Car series.

The highly-rated Fisichella competed in a handful of GPs with Minardi this year but was eventually replaced because money could not be found to run him. Minardi was hoping to run Fisichella this year but it seems that the team has decided to run drivers with money instead.

Having failed to find an established star for his team, Eddie Jordan now seems to have hit on the idea of having young drivers and making them into stars. This is a much cheaper option as they do not expect to be paid millions. "I've been interested in Fisichella for some time," said Eddie Jordan. "I'm very keen to look at all potential winners."

Now in its third year with Peugeot, the Jordan team needs victories to convince the French engine-maker to continue to supply the team in 1998. This will also have a serious effect on whether or not Jordan will be able to hold on to its Benson & Hedges sponsorship.

The Jordan technical team is confident that the new 197 chassis will be a lot more competitive than the 196 has been.