JULY 21, 2000

Jordan deny Gascoyne split rumors

JORDAN have denied reports that technical director Mike Gascoyne has quit the team with immediate effect and insist he is still a part of their short-term plans.

Gascoyne will move to Benetton next season after agreeing a deal with Flavio Briatore and Jordan's engine suppliers Honda has reportedly banned Gascoyne from overseeing any of the development work for next year.

But the Silverstone-based team have denied that Gascoyne has left the team early and claim he still has a part to play in the short-term future of the team.

"He is still with the team and is still working on next year's car," said a Jordan spokesperson. "He wasn't seen at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, but he was actually on holiday.

"At this time of the year he is rarely at grands prix because of the need to concentrate on the development of next year's car."