Jordan gets works Honda deal.

The Jordan team will receive works Honda engines in 2001, after signing a long-term contract with the Japanese giant.

Under the agreement, Honda will supply equal specification engines to both Jordan and British American Racing next season, the second since its full-time return to the Formula One scene this year.

''This is a massive breakthrough for Jordan,'' said team boss Eddie Jordan, ''To have the support and commitment of Honda gives renewed credibility to our ambition to win the world championship, and I believe that Jordan-Honda now represents the most exciting technical package for the years ahead. I would like to thank Mr Hirotoshi Honda and Mugen for their great support and encouragement in creating the platform for this future.''

The Irishman's enthusiasm was shared by his new partners, who aim to recapture the world title it last won with McLaren in 1991.

''Along with our joint development of chassis technology with BAR, the supply of works engines to Jordan represents a new challenge in Honda's third period of participation in F1,'' explained Takeo Fukui, managing director of Honda's motorsport activities, ''Through these efforts we will continue to do our utmost to meet the expectations of motorsport fans.''

The doubled F1 effort will not affect Honda's participation in other series, Fukui insisted, and the Japanese giant will continue our challenge for CART and MotoGP titles with the same level of commitment as in recent seasons.

Jordan's coup in landing a works deal may also be the final lure in the battle to keep Heinz-Harald Frentzen next season, despite a lucrative financial offer the German is understood to have received from Jaguar.

The deal will also free up a supply of Mugen powerplants to ease the perceived engine crisis that will hit F1 next year. Prost, which is expected to confirm its split from Peugeot this weekend, is the most likely recipient of the Japanese units.