Jos Verstappen may be out of the 2004 Formula One season for good after his desperate final attempt at signing for the Silverstone team fell through.
Jos Verstappen may be out of the 2004 Formula One season for good after his desperate final attempt at signing for the Silverstone team fell through.
While the rumours circulated about Verstappen’s possible inclusion in the Jordan team this year, negotiations over one of the two remaining seats that remain unfilled collapsed after Verstappen issued an ultimatum to the team.
Verstappen apparently assumed that with a rumoured R70 million sponsorship behind him, he was set to land a ride with Jordan for 2004. With no response from Team Jordan before his imposed 48-hour deadline and no invitation to test ahead of the EJ14’s launch, he has now decided to end the talks.
“We have done our best to come to some agreement,” Verstappen said, “However, at this moment, nothing has worked out.
Michel Perridon, who insisted late last week that a deal had been reached between the Dutchman and Jordan, said: “We have given Jos all our support – and will keep doing so.
“However, it is important that all parties in these negotiations must have a good basis for a successful season, and we feel that, this time, that is not the case.”
Jordan had been testing several drivers in the past weeks, including F1 rookies, and already has Nick Heidfeld on a conditional contract pending sponsorship to guarantee the German’s seat. Allan McNish and Ralph Firman are both also hopeful that they will be filling one of the seats at Jordan in 2004.
