OCTOBER 10, 2001

Jordan signs Takuma Sato

Jordan Grand Prix have announced today that they have signed British Formula 3 Champion Takuma Sato to partner Giancarlo Fisichella in the team next season.

JORDAN GRAND PRIX have announced today that they have signed British Formula 3 Champion Takuma Sato to partner Giancarlo Fisichella in the team next season. The deal with the Japanese driver is for two years with an option for an additional two seasons.

Eddie Jordan said, "Sato has proved himself to be quick and outstandingly talented in the British Formula 3 Championship this year and deserves an opportunity to race in Formula One. Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda is delighted to be the team to give him this opportunity. Sato's contract with Jordan, along side the three year deal we have signed with Giancarlo Fisichella, gives Jordan vital continuity and a strong, long-term driver line up which will be key to our development with Honda. We hope that with the help of Honda and Bridgestone, we can develop Sato to make him the first Japanese driver to win a Grand Prix. With regards to Jean, he has been an inspiration to the team and it is our wish that he finds a role within Jordan for the future. We are currently working on defining this role and hope to announce it in due course."

Sato won this seasons British Formula 3 Championship winning 12 events, and also winning the Marlboro Masters event at Zandvoort. Sato said, "Today's announcement makes me extremely happy as it is the goal I set out to achieve by deciding to do a second year in Formula 3 and combine this with Formula One testing. I am very excited about joining Jordan and am looking forward very much to starting work with the team, who I know already from my testing with them last year. This is a fantastic opportunity for me."