AUGUST 18, 2002
Honda, Jordan and Ford
Honda has announced that, as expected, it will not be supplying the Jordan team with engines next season.
It is clear that Jordan will now use Cosworth engines although the team will not make any official press statement to that effect just yet. Eddie Jordan is however expected to discuss his new engine deal later this morning. The big issue is one of branding - and the effects of that. If the engine is branded "Ford" there are huge implications for all concerned. Our spies say that Jordan has done a deal for free engines with Ford of Europe which will involve a parts distribution deal for DHL and a drive for Heinz-Harald Frentzen. This makes a lot of sense for everyone involved but can they all agree?
And if they can put it all together what will be the effect of that Jaguar Racing? Will Ford of Detroit battle with Ford of Europe using different engine brands? Or could the presence of Dietrich Mateschitz of Red Bull in Jaguar circles mean that the much talked-about Red Bull Team USA might become a reality? Or is all of this just Silly Season chatter?
Watch this space...