Eddie Jordan's drivers face Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix with major question marks over both. Damon Hill's commitment seems suspect after three lacklustre races, while Ralf Schumacher has yet to show he's more than a one-lap wonder.

"We'll have a good discussion tomorrow. There are some serious issues to talk to Ralf about," said Jordan in his Oxford home last night. "It's a difficult time for him and certainly the start in Argentina left something to be desired. But we have been working constructively. He spent all last Saturday practising his starts at Silverstone.

"The work covered more than the physical start. We worked on the psychology behind a good start. Ralf has tended to get too flustered on the grid." Schumacher himself feels under tremendous pressure after a dire start to the season. Eddie Irvine was not hopeful of his chances of success. "Ralf is quick, but he has nothing else. You need so much more in Formula One," he said in Milan before setting off for Imola.

Jordan was not pulling his punches about Damon Hill either. "He's going pretty much how I expected. He was never quick unless he had the best car."

However, commercially, Hill still generates tremendous press coverage for Benson and Hedges and his place in the team is secure. Schumacher is not bringing significant sponsorship to the team and without results his position is precarious.

For this weekend, Jordan are taking a gamble on a long wheel base set up - adding four inches to the car. "We are taking a gamble" said Gary Anderson. "We will not gain if we don't try something new. We are going to Imola with less testing than we would have liked." Meanwhile, at Ferrari, Eddie Irvine is in top form, lying fourth in the World Drivers championship, and having shown devastating form in qualifying in Argentina.

"The car is good now but we will have so many new things for this weekend. The money being spent is incredible," he said.