Jordan Grand Prix look to have assured their future at the forefront of the Formula One pack with the announcement yesterday that the team has reached an agreement with Honda for a supply of the works engines from next season.
The deal is a huge boost to the team, which until this announcement have been paying for engines from Mugen-Honda, the company run by Hirotoshi Honda and which until recently was Honda's motorsport division.
Aside from the obvious benefits of having a fully factory supported engine on board, the contract will also free up the reported £15 million a year Jordan were believed to be paying Mugen for the supply of its engines.
"This is a massive breakthrough for Jordan," said Eddie Jordan yesterday, as he arrived at Magny Cours to begin preparations for s Sunday's French Grand Prix.
"To have the support and commitment of Honda gives renewed credibility to our ambitions to win the world championship.
"I believe that Jordan now represents the most exciting technical package for the years ahead," he added.
As part of a "multi-year" deal, believed to be for four seasons, Honda will from 2001 supply Jordan with the works programme, which is currently the sole province of British American Racing, the fledgling team which effectively stole the Honda deal from Jordan last year.
Both teams will receive the same programme, though Honda's Motorsport chief Takeo Fukui added that the company would continue its joint chassis development programme with BAR.
"Along with our joint development of chassis technology with BAR, the supply of works engines to Jordan represents a new challenge in Honda's third participation in F1," he said.
The arrival of the Honda powerplants may also be enough to persuade star driver Heinz Harald Frentzen to stay with the Irish outfit.
The German, who took Jordan to a career high of third in both the constructors' and drivers' championships last season, has been the subject of heavy speculation in recent weeks as his Jordan contract draws to its October close, and rumours of a move to the cash-rich Jaguar team have gained currency.
Sources within Jordan, however, said that Frentzen wishes to remain with the team and the arrival of a potentially championship-winning engine, coupled with Jordan's increased financial flexibility, is likely to keep the former Williams man at Jordan for a further stint.
After a season of setbacks, in which the team has scored just 10 points and seen their technical director, Mike Gascoyne, announce his departure for the Renault-acquired Benetton next season, the Honda announcement could be the turnaround Eddie Jordan has been forecasting for some time.
Yesterday, Jordan was convinced that the moment had come. "Finally, I'd like to thank Mr Hirotoshi Honda of Mugen for their great support."
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