MOTOR SPORT/Formula One: Jordan Grand Prix boss Eddie Jordan is set to sign, within the next week, a deal for use of Toyota engines for 2005, ensuring that his troubled Formula One team will take its place on the grid at the season opener in Melbourne next March.
The Irish team's future has been the subject of speculation for months, but real doubts about its participation in next year's championship surfaced when Ford, the team's current engine supplier, last month announced it was withdrawing from the sport and putting its Cosworth engine subsidiary up for sale.
That left Jordan in power limbo for 2005, but the situation is set to change within the next seven days.
Jordan has been wooing Toyota for some time, but admitted last month that the racing future of his team depended largely on the FIA's rules governing engines for next year.
Last week the sport's governing body revealed that engines next year must last two races rather than the current one, meaning a cut in costs for teams.
That allowed Toyota to reveal it would be in a position to supply engines to a customer team and it is thought that Jordan has secured his supply for a fee of €11-€12 million, a major saving on the €18 million being paid annually to Ford. There is, however, no indication as yet of the duration of Jordan's deal with Japanese manufacturer.
While the Toyota deal looks complete, there remains one sticking point that could yet unravel Jordan's lifeline. According to sources, Toyota are keen to place their test driver, Ryan Briscoe, with Jordan in a bid to groom the young Australian for a future race seat at Toyota.
Jordan, though, is less than keen on the placement, reasoning that Briscoe will bring no value to the team other than his, as yet, unproven race skills.
The Irishman would rather fill the seats of his EJ15 car with sponsor-rich drivers who would bring much-needed finance to his cash-strapped team.
It is thought current Jordan test driver Robert Doornbos is keen to secure his F1 future and the Dutchman may have upwards of $15 million in sponsorship money to back up his claim.
German Timo Glock is also keen to retain the position he inherited from Italian Giorgio Pantano at the US Grand Prix, and he too is believed to have significant backing.
However, while Briscoe's future remains a problem, Toyota insiders yesterday said that while the team would like to see it's protégé join Jordan, it is unlikely to be a deal-breaking issue.
