Full Throttle

Jordan driver Giorgio Pantano missed opening practice for the Canadian Grand Prix as he attempted to resolve a dispute over his drive with the British team. Italian Pantano joined Jordan from Formula 3000 at the start of the season as a pay driver but was forced to leave the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before Friday practice to resolve what are understood to be financial problems.

“There is something between his family and his management company which needs to be resolved,” said Jordan director of business affairs Ian Phillips, who refused to provide further detail of the situation.

“He was here this morning but left because he needed somewhere quiet to make a few phone calls. I have my phone in my pocket waiting and could have a call any minute.”

Jordan have slumped down the order in recent seasons because of tightening budgets and took on 25-year-old Pantano this year after he offered a strong financial package as well as a respectable racing record.

But he has failed to finish three of the last four races and was compromised in the Monaco Grand Prix after twisting his knee in the traditional football match before the event.

He equalled his best ever qualifying position with 15th place at the last race at the Nurburgring and finished 13th but that race could be his last for Jordan.

The team have German test driver Timo Glock at the circuit to drive their third car this weekend and he finished 19th fastest, 3.877 seconds off the pace of session leader Michael Schumacher, in the morning session.

Glock could be promoted to the race team if Pantano fails to solve his problems but Phillips added: “At the moment we will not say what we plan to do if it is not resolved.”