Jordan are reported to be in negotiations with Mercedes-Benz to secure a customer supply of engines for 2004.
The Jordan team currently has a customer contract with Ford for Cosworth engines but a combination of reliability woes from the Cosworth unit and the expense of the existing deal are believed to be forcing Jordan to consider other options.
The AUTOSPORT magazine reported this week that the current Ford deal costs $23m per year of which only $5m is subsidised by Ford Europe. It is believed that the customer deal to use Mercedes-Benz engines would cost between $12-15m. The cost of the deal could be further reduced if Jordan were willing to run Mercedes-Benz contracted drivers such as Alex Wurz or Sauber's Nick Heidfeld.
Despite silence from Jordan and denials from Mercedes motor sport chief Norbert Haug, Mercedes are committed to supplying another F1 team and Jordan are believed to be the main contenders given the relative merits for both parties. From the Mercedes perspective, Jordan are potentially the most competitive of the remaining non-constructor owned teams, and Jordan stand to gain a more competitive engine for less money and the arrival of Mercedes-Benz power plants may be enough to encourage Giancarlo Fisichella to remain with the Irish team.
Any deal between Jordan and Mercedes-Benz for 2004 may also hold the key to the driver transfer market for next year. Rumours are circulating the Ferrari tester Felippe Massa may return to the Sauber team and oust Nick Heidfeld. The German's long-term contract with Mercedes-Benz may help him find a berth alongside Giancarlo Fisichella, if the Italian can be convinced to stay with the team.
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