MOTORSPORT/ Formula One: Jordan's EJ14 rolled gingerly out of its Silverstone garage yesterday, a new-born foal testing the weather, its place in the world and the mood of its driver, sponsors and the small gathering of waiting press.

And by its side was a wryly-grinning Eddie Jordan, a proud parent pointing gleefully at his own nativity gag splashed across the side of the car.

Under a small shamrock the word "Lazarus" was emblazoned in bold print across the EJ14's sidepods, a barb, Jordan claimed, aimed at those who have been all too quick to write off his troubled team.

"It is about coming back from the dead," he said. "People were writing us off last autumn. But we are back and I am very, very buoyant about this particular year. As the old saying goes; 'Reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated'."

Dogged by suggestions his team were hovering on the edge of extinction, hounded by the rumour his disastrous court action against Vodafone last year would kill his quest for fresh sponsorship, and pressured by speculation that unless he could attract sponsor-rich racers he would be left high and dry, Jordan has kept a low profile since Suzuka last year, the close of his worst season since 1992.

He has remodelled his team, found a driver he insists has been hired on merit and produced a car he believes should find him back in the top six by the time the season closes in Brazil in eight months.

"I'm happy to say that the EJ14 is a step forward from last year's car," he said. "We have made the biggest ever step forward on this car. Whether that is because last year's car was a dog or this one is a genius we won't know until Melbourne.

"We were a bit lucky to win in Brazil last year but then we have always been a lucky team. We've always been adventurous in our strategy. Only four teams in the last five years have won multi-grand prix and we are one of those four . . . We must finish in the the top six," he added. "That is the goal I've set."

Aside from the signing of the under-rated Nick Heidfeld as its main driving force, the EJ14 emerged emblazoned with the logo of Dutch computer company Trust, the chief sponsor of Jos Verstappen, the driver worth $10 million in sponsorship whose fractious negotiation for the second Jordan drive was severed, it seemed utterly, 10 days ago. Yet in another example of miraculous resuscitation, Jordan yesterday said a deal with the Dutchman was still on the cards.

"We're still talking to a number of drivers and Jos is one of them. Trust and I have had discussions. We know what we want to do and we will make announcement when we're ready. (But) there is still a seat available."

Also still in the frame is last year's second driver Ralph Firman. Jordan confirmed he has also been in contact with the Norfolk-born, Irish-passport holder. "I speak to Ralph all the time, He is a high-quality driver and somebody I particularly like," he said. "If there is a way to do something to help him get into the team either in a testing role or as a driver then we'll do it."

Verstappen seems to have the upper-hand, especially in light of the Trust branding on the EJ14. Whether that stays until the EJ14 makes its racing bow in Melbourne on March 7th remains to be seen, but Jordan insisted yesterday his team had improved financial backing for this season, saying last year's Vodafone debacle had had little or no effect on his team's ability to attract new business.