Massa wins race for Jordan seat

F1 - 30th January '03

Felippe Massa expects to sign for Jordan Grand Prix by February according to his agent. The Brazilian who competed in his first full season of F1 last year is expected to partner Giancarlo Fisichella after securing major backing from Ford and Petrobas.

The imminent announcement puts pay to the hopes of Eddie Irvine, Enrique Bernoldi, Bryan Herta and Ralph Firman who were all at one point tipped to sign for the Silverstone-based outfit. Firman however may still secure a position as Jordan's tester during the new Friday practice session at each Grand Prix. Sauber sacked Massa last year after a disappointing first season. The often over-exuberant and at times petulant Brazilian was handed a race ban for dangerous driver, a move which led to his replacement by Heinz-Harald Frentzen who then went on to sign for Sauber for 2003.

The fresh injection of cash that Massa is expected to bring in return for his race seat is expected to safeguard the future of the Jordan team. Having secured a customer deal for Cosworth engines the team was struck a serious blow by the loss of title sponsor Deutsche Poste, but extra cash from new sponsors should allow the team to focus on being competitive in 2003.

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