Sato's departure opens door for Irvine's return

Eddie Irvine's prospects of prolonging his Formula One career improved significantly yesterday with the announcement that Japan's Takuma Sato had left Jordan Ford and returned to BAR Honda as reserve driver.

Northern Ireland's Irvine, released by Jaguar at the end of last season, is the obvious choice to fill the void at Jordan, providing the team can conclude a satisfactory sponsorship deal with their long-time backers, Benson & Hedges.

Another contender for the spare seat at Jordan, is the Brazilian, Felipe Massa, who was dropped after his maiden Formula One season by Sauber. But he suggested recently that he might return to the Swiss team as test driver.

The key to who will become the second driver at Jordan alongside the Italian, Giancarlo Fisichella, is money. Eddie Jordan, the team principal, has made it clear that the appointment will be determined by commercial, as much a driving, considerations.

Jordan said: "If someone was prepared to pay extra for a driver of their choice and that driver was right for the team, then of course we would consider such a proposition.''

Benson & Hedges is in negotiations with the team for next season and it wants a UK driver to generate more media coverage in this country. If Jordan comply, they must chose between experience and youth.

Justin Wilson eliminated himself from the equation by joining Minardi Ford earlier this week. Another young driver, Anthony Davidson, who missed out on the seat at the Anglo-Italian team, has resigned himself to a further year as test driver at BAR. Gary Paffett, the 21-year-old Englishman who won the German Formula Three championship this year, waits in the wings.

If Jordan opt for an older driver, they could take Allan McNish, who lost his job at Toyota after his first season in Formula One. The Scotsman is 32 and would undoubtedly be a more competitive Grand Prix driver second time around.

However, Irvine is the proven article. He is 37 and would be the oldest driver in Formula One, but he produced excellent performances with a limited car last season and, after earning something like £18m over the past three years, concedes: "Money is not an issue.'' He made his debut with Jordan, in 1993, and a reunion, a decade on, could suit all concerned.

Jordan said: "We don't want to become a retirement home for old drivers, but Eddie has a lot left in the tank and Nigel Mansell went on into his forties. Allan was very unlucky to lose his drive and he would definitely be better next season. That said, we have always been a team prepared to give young drivers a chance.''

Sato leaves despite his excellent fifth place at the Japanese Grand Prix and having a year remaining on his contract with Jordan. The team's switch from Honda to Ford engines made the driver's departure almost inevitable, again for commercial reasons. Honda were anxious to keep their prize asset and he joins BAR on a three-year contract.