Jordan and Sauber are talking to Mercedes-Benz about taking up their offer on cheap customer engines.
Irish boss Eddie Jordan, who pays up to $30 million for Ford-badged Cosworth V10s, admitted that he 'talks to everyone in the course of doing business.'
'But we've made no formal approach to Mercedes-Benz,' the Silverstone-based principal added.
Mercedes' competition director Norbert Haug has said that his German employers may be willing to offer year-old engines to independent teams for as little as $10 million.
He said in Austria, however, that the offer is not finalised, particularly - it appears - because BMW and Cosworth are showing signs of reluctance in joining the 'cheap' brigade.
The interest by Jordan and fellow privateer boss Peter Sauber might be interpreted as a way to compel Cosworth and Scuderia Ferrari into complying with the affordable-engine offer.
F1's FIA said it would delay a ban on traction control indefinitely if the manufacturers find a way to offer 'fully affordable' customer engines to the smaller teams.
Peter Sauber revealed he had 'exchanged thoughts' with McLaren CEO Ron Dennis - whose team is part owned by Mercedes-Benz - on 'a number of different topics.'
The Swiss added: 'One of these topics related to subsidy engines in general, and for Sauber in particular.'
Norbert Haug now confirms that he has spoken 'informally' to Jordan and Sauber about 2004. 'These are difficult times for F1 financially,' he said.
'And we've made this offer for the good of the sport.'
Written: Thu, 22 May 2003 12:15:53
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