Sato tests the EJ10B.

A Honda spokesman said today (Tuesday) that Sato's future will be announced at a news conference on Wednesday, although news of the signing appeared on the official Jordan web site briefly this morning before being deleted.

When quizzed if the current British Formula 3 champion will be announced as a Jordan-Honda driver, he said: "You may well expect him to do so."

Sato has been one of four test drivers for Honda rival BAR this year, but was thought to be up against the newly crowned Formula 3000 champion, Justin Wilson, for the seat. Wilson is still in line for the test seat however.

He will become Japan's seventh ever full-time F1 Grand Prix driver, and its first since Tora Takagi drove for Arrows in 1999, and is regarded as one of the best young drivers to emerge from the land of the rising sun.

Sadly, it means that Jean Alesi has lost his seat with Jordan and his racing options for next season now appear to be limited although Arrows are rumoured to be interested in signing the French veteran.