JANUARY 29, 2002

Deutsche Post to be Jordan title sponsor?

DEUTSCHE POST AG, Germany's mail service is rumored to be on the verge of signing to become the team's title sponsor for 2002, replacing Benson & Hedges. The British cigarette brand, owned by the Gallahers tobacco company, will remain as a subsidiary sponsor but felt that it could not justify title sponsorship without a British driver in one of the cars. The Jordan team currently employs Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato.

Deutsche Post is a big contributor to Jordan as it also pays for the DHL and Danzas space on the car, both companies being DP subsidiaries. The company originally became involved with Jordan because of the deal with Heinz-Harald Frentzen but has remained with the team since Frentzen was fired. As part of the planned deal it is expected that Jordan will help Deutsche Post with a program to promote young German drivers and the team tested Marcel Lasee in a 2001 Jordan-Honda EJ11. Lasee raced last year in the German Formula Renault Championship. Lasee is 20 years old an comes from Dusseldorf. He started racing cars in 1999 in Formula Ford before two years in Formula Renault. He hopes to get a drive in German F3 this year.

If it is confirmed it will be a boost for the Jordan team.