Jordan determined to keep racing

Jordan is still trying hard to secure an engine deal for next season but although the situation is very difficult, the team is determined to be on the grid in 2005. The Silverstone based squad was left without an engine deal when Ford decided to withdraw Cosworth from F1 and sell the company, and Jordan is looking for support from within the sport.

"We have appealed to the Formula One community at large," the team's business director Ian Phillips told Reuters. "Ford gave us seven minutes' notice that they were pulling out but we had a perfectly good plan to go racing next year."

"We haven't been able to resolve that situation yet but we believe that Jordan has a role to play and Eddie personally is prepared to be very flexible in achieving the team being on the grid next year. Everybody is aware of our position and one or two companies have indicated that they may be in a position to help."

One suggestion is for Jordan to appeal to the FIA to be allowed to sit out 2005 simply because there is no engine deal to be had. "It's not allowed but obviously if we are in a position to go racing with a race team but there is no engine available to us, then what else can you do? Except wait until there is one available," said Phillips.

However, not racing next year is a very last resort and one that Jordan is not considering just yet. The team, which won last year's Brazilian Grand Prix with Giancarlo Fisichella, is still looking at possibilities to find its way to the grid at Albert Park in four months time.

"Obviously right now we don't have an engine to go racing next year but it is our intention to be on the grid in Melbourne," Phillips commented. "There's lots of things going on behind the scenes, things have got to come together pretty quickly but we think there's a way, and we're going to explore every avenue."

"We're not just going to walk away from this at all. Racing is what we do, we don't do anything else."