Jordan will sign Verstappen

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

The Jordan team will sign Jos Verstappen for the 2004 season. A verbal agreement has been reached between Trust (Jos' sponsor) and Eddie Jordan over the phone earlier today, and despite no official announcement as a formal contract is not yet signed, the deal is in essence completed. The 5pm ultimatum was reached and discussions via telephone conducted with positive results.

"Jordan has given his word over the telephone" according to Mr. Perridon of Trust. It has been decided that during the coming days a final agreement will be made between the two parties. This means that once the contract is finalised and signed, Jos Verstappen will start the grid in the EJ14 during the coming 2004 season!"

How much do you want to bet EJ soiled his pants and had to say yes to avoid losing $10 million sponsorship?

[Taku 0]

How much do you want to bet EJ soiled his pants and had to say yes to avoid losing $10 million sponsorship?

yeah i know!

i read somewhere that the delay was due to EJ having the upper hand and trying to dictatate terms, cos whilst jos has the most money, there aren't anymore available rides and jos wants to be in F1 above all else.

i mean obviously jos wants to be in F1, but why stuff him around if he is the most qualified, in terms of both $ and experience.

i don't think the trust people were very happy this attitude eh.

it might not have happened like this , but you can just see jos's mangement saying:

"perri, ej's f*ing around on the terms and is stalling, bringing in other drivers and giving the impression they have a chance to raise the cash required. i think he wants more dosh"

mr perridon of trust: "is he serious???"

jos m'ment: "it appears so, there's even reports floating around on the net to that effect. unbelieveable huh"

perri: "you've got to be kidding. get him on the phone."

Disclaimer: jordan was my favourite gp team untill last year, but i lost a lot of respect for him when he let poor stoddy down..

[juany 0]

"Jordan has given his word over the telephone" according to Mr. Perridon of Trust. It has been decided that during the coming days a final agreement will be made between the two parties. This means that once the contract is finalised and signed, Jos Verstappen will start the grid in the EJ14 during the coming 2004 season!"

So basically, all Jos got out of his 'threat' was a verbal agreement which isnt worth the paper it is printed on.

How much do you want to bet EJ soiled his pants and had to say yes to avoid losing $10 million sponsorship?

Yeah, but you can bet he is trying to squeeze out more money from the others drivers sponsors still. He is a shrewd man!

[juany 0]

it might not have happened like this ' date=' but you can just see jos's mangement saying:

"perri, ej's f*ing around on the terms and is stalling, bringing in other drivers and giving the impression they have a chance to raise the cash required. i think he wants more dosh"

mr perridon of trust: "is he serious???"

jos m'ment: "it appears so, there's even reports floating around on the net to that effect. unbelieveable huh"

perri: "you've [i']got[/i] to be kidding. get him on the phone."

Actually, it sems like you must have bugged his office. I am sure that is how it did go down!

Disclaimer: jordan was my favourite gp team untill last year, but i lost a lot of respect for him when he let poor stoddy down..

Yep, I used to love Jordan too (stuck with them as the team to follow after Hill retired) but now I wonder what EJ's real motives are. Its good to have a larikin in the paddock, but EJ's money probs seem to have made him lose it and with that Jordan loses some of its appeal to me too.

[Sato 0]

so a couple of former jordan fans huh.......i must be one of the few left that are loyal :cry:

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I don't see what has taken EJ so long though, in terms of releasing driver announcements to the public. If he wants $10 million, he signs Jos. If he wants extra backing from B&H, he signs McNish. I think this pairing will be signed up, Allan/Jos, but I don't see what is taking Eddie so long. The other options, such as Heidfeld, will in no way be able to match the sponsor backing, and Nick isn't as good a driver choice either, not in terms of talent, but experience.

Jordan needs two experienced punters like Jos and Allan, and they even bring loads of dosh. I don't get it.

[Taku 0]

so a couple of former jordan fans huh.......i must be one of the few left that are loyal  :cry:

I don't see what has taken EJ so long though, in terms of releasing driver announcements to the public. If he wants $10 million, he signs Jos. If he wants extra backing from B&H, he signs McNish. 

I don't get it.

yeah i know :shock: he really is mystifying sometimes.. :?:

[marina 0]

This matter is really very sad. Why F1 drivers should have to go through all this I dont know? It should not be all about money but experience and if the driver deserves the drive, but unfortunately its always about money.

Jose Maria Lopez - 21 years old Argentinian Champion of FRenault V6 Europe will test for jaguar's 3rd driver.

Swedish Bjorn Wirdheim F3000 Intl Champion - will test for Jaguar 3rd driver.

Good luck to both these drivers.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

This matter is really very sad. Why F1 drivers should have to go through all this I dont know? It should not be all about money but experience and if the driver deserves the drive, but unfortunately its always about money.

It's not sad. It's business. Eddie simply cannot afford, literally, to hire a driver without sponsor money. F1 is expensive, and we don't want to lose another team, and EJ doesn't want to go bankrupt. So of course he goes for sponsor money, which will allow them to stay alive and develop. Mind you, the odd part here is that Eddie has two drivers with experience and sponsors, so it is odd he hasn't finalised any deals yet.

[webber 0]

How much do you want to bet EJ soiled his pants and had to say yes to avoid losing $10 million sponsorship?

was not the trust sponsorship 2 Minardi only $2 million last year if so were did trust get the rest of the $10 million from :?

[juany 0]

so a couple of former jordan fans huh.......i must be one of the few left that are loyal  :cry:

I still have a soft spot for Jordan.

[Taku 0]

hey i read in the sydney morning herald sports secition today that jos verstappen had rejected an offer from jordan. and i quote:

"No one at the wheel"

London: F1 outfit Jordan is still without a driver for next season after Dutchman Jos Verstappen rejected an offer to join it.

can anyone verify this? of course i'm sceptical cos i can't find any related headlines on the total f1 site to this effect...

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Yea, this news is a couple of days old already so its been pushed down the order. Verstappen and Trust cancelled the talks, leaving Jordan without any drivers and none of Trust's sponsorship money. Watch Nick Heidfeld and Allan McNish fill the spots, as Heidfeld's presence will aid in bringing back DHL and Deutsche Post (who are considering sponsorship) while McNish will spur on B&H sponsorship boosts.

[Taku 0]

jeez, i thought they were still at the "verbal agreement" stage.

don't check online for a couple days and the f1 world changes seasons! serves me right for relying on newspapers..

"verbal agreement" *pffft

i'd like to see McNish get it.

[nichosnz 0]

As would I, good luck McNish.