Eddie Jordan said yesterday he wanted Giancarlo Fisichella to stay with the team and that the Italian driver wanted to stay for next year. Jordan said: "You can appreciate that there are confidentiality clauses in the contract, so I cannot go into the detail. Except to say that Flavio (Briotore of Benetton) has his opinion and we have ours. I would hope the issue can be resolved without going to court."

Jordan, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "It is not right to separate a mother and a child" - referring to the Italian driver's relative lack of experience. It is interesting that it was this view of Rubens Barrichello which drove the Brazilian to distraction within Jordan last year.

Asked about the possibility of Damon Hill driving with the team next year Jordan said: "Damon hasn't talked to us."

Jordan also said he knew nothing about a story in the German media that Ralf Schumacher is to be called up for national service with the Luftwaffe: "Well he's done enough flying in our cars. Ralf never mentioned it, so I presume it is not an issue."