Damon to Jordan - Official!

>From the Jordan web site :

Reigning Formula One World Champion Damon Hill has signed a two year agreement to drive for the Benson and Hedges Jordan Mugen Honda team in the 1998 and 1999 Formula One World Championships.

The deal was announced this morning at a 9.30am press conference in the Jordan motor home at the A1-Ring circuit - scene of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix. The deal was agreed 10 days ago in the wake of the Italian Grand Prix, Damon Hill joining Eddie Jordan, Technical Director Gary Anderson and the B&H management on their private flight back from Monza. The agreement thus pre- dated any announcements made by Sauber, Arrows or Prost during the past week, and also pre-dated the Fisichella court hearing on Monday of this week.

"Naturally I delighted to have signed Damon, " said Eddie. "This gives us a blend of youth and experience, with Ralf and Damon making a very exciting line up for next season. We tried to get Damon last year but didn't, so we signed two young drivers and invested the money in the technical side. Now, one year on, we are able to sign Damon and hopefully that will help us become a winning team."

Eddie made a point of paying tribute to Giancarlo Fisichella for his tremendous input this season, and wished him great success for the future. Damon thanked TWR Arrows and Tom Walkinshaw for their support and commitment, but said that he was very optimistic about the future.

"I believe that the very strong Mugen Honda package, plus the technical facilities now in place at Jordan, means that I can win more races and go for my second World Championship," he said. "I am very positive about this deal. I did not sign for Jordan last year because I was not sure about the team's abilities, but this year they have joined the upper echelons of Formula One teams and they have an impressive package."

Ralf Schumacher joined Eddie and Damon for a photocall, and the team is now preparing for today's practice sessions.

------------------------------------------------------- Steven D Scott Inverurie, Scotland ------------------------------------------------------- Home Page : http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/2792 e-mail : scotts@aberdeen.dowell.slb.com Alternative : stevescott@geocities.com ------------------------------------------------------- Go Damon ! -------------------------------------------------------