Takuma test for Jordan in 2000.

Sato who has won a staggering 12 races this season with his Carlin Motorsport team, is desperate to break into Formula 1 and any deal would go down very well with Jordan’s engine suppliers Honda.

Eddie commented, "I believe he's quick. I think if you check his record, he's won more Formula 3 races than anyone in the British series before, although it has slightly changed as there are two races now on some days.
"One thing's for sure, he is a very big talent...But there are a lot of good drivers up and coming. I think there is resurgence. If there's five or six drivers you're looking at, of course Sato would be one of them."

The team boss added that he is on the look out for the next great talent. "What is interesting, particularly for the guys who have been around a bit, is that there is a group of young lads coming through who have a really strong ability and it's trying to find the correct one," said Jordan.

"There's a group of very good drivers there in Formula One at the moment, but maybe it will need somebody new, like Michael was."
"We all were in total awe of the great Ayrton Senna, but it needed somebody new who had not been there at the early stages of Senna's career to come and not be (in awe), if you like."

Jordan, who gave Schumacher his F1 debut at Spa in 1991 but saw him leave after just one race, said that he wants someone to stand up to the top drivers. "Drivers in Formula One, when they see Michael coming up to lap them, they move out of the way. We need somebody who's different to that."

The 24-year-old Sato, currently a development driver for BAR, has had a secretly tested for the team last Friday at Silverstone and his management have admitted they been in regular contact with the Irish team.
The only sticking point is that Sato is currently under contract to the other Honda team, BAR. But the Japanese car giant is expected to bring their considerable influence to bear in getting Takuma released, if necessary.

As yet Jordan have only confirmed Giancarlo Fisichella for a drive next. 200-race veteran Jean Alesi will be a frontrunner for the second seat having fared strongly since his arrival in August, although sources believe Honda’s influence, and the promise of a long term engine deal, will mean Sato will have a better chance.

Jordan also had praise for both Indian Narain Karthikeyan and newly crowned F3000 champ Justin Wilson. The two drivers tested for the Irish team at Silverstone a fortnight ago, but at this stage can realistically only expect a test contract. "I think both of them are very impressive. It just seems to be coming that there's a number of young drivers who have really strong ability and it's trying to find the correct one," added Eddie.