Jordan's entente cordiale to end?

THE FUTURE of Eddie Jordan's Formula One effort is not dependent on retaining the use of the Peugeot engines, a decision on which will be made this month.

"My aim at the moment is to announce our future engine arrangements at the British Grand Prix (July 13th)," said Eddie Jordan last night.

Jordan has had discussions with Mercedes, while a delegation from Honda visited their Silverstone factory two weeks ago. The Mugen Honda engine which powered the Prost of Olivier Pan is to second place in Spain is clearly a strong engine.

The question of the merits of the Peugeot V10 has also arisen.

Out on the track, its engine note is lower than other Formula One engines, a point Gary Anderson elaborated on: "It's the lowest revving engine in F1," he says of its 16,000 rpm red line. "You must have the revs to get the horse power.

Engines work by burning fuel and the more revs, the more air the engine can pass and the more fuel it can burn, the more power it will produce.

In years gone by, the Peugeot engine was considered the stronger part of the Jordan Peugeot package. That is not true now. Asked about future versions of the engine Anderson said: "No that's it, this is what we have for the year". That seems an inadequate development programme for a team trying to become winners.

According to Peugeot boss Pierre Michel Fauconnier: "Where Jordans are relative to Prost is irrelevant", referring to the end of June decision time on an option for Jordan.

Peugeot may offer Jordan an option, but Eddie Jordan will not be interested in playing second fiddle to Prost and will not take up any Peugeot option without guarantees of equal status, though they will lie hard to enforce.

The Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday week and the French Grand Prix a fortnight later will be critical in Jordan's negotiations with potential engine partners and Peugeot.