Eddie Jordan last night ruled out the possibility of Damon Hill joining his team for next season's Formula One series. Jordan said he would be keeping the same line-up of Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella.

Hill had been linked to the Jordan team following his rejection of a £13 million two-year deal with Sauber and a smaller offer from McLaren of £1.3 million, with a £650,000 win bonus.

The Formula One champion rejected Jordan last year before shocking the motor-racing world by joining the Arrows team.

But this year it was Jordan doing the rejecting. "I would have to say that youth has always been a key element to the Jordan success story, and it would be a very foolhardy person who would overrule that decision." said Jordan.

"In essence Fisichella and Ralf Schumacher are the drivers that we intend to start next season with." The 24-year-old Italian underlined his huge potential with a second place at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Jordan may still face opposition from Benetton, whose team chief Flavio Briatore has also claimed the driver for the 1998 season.

But Jordan said: "We have got two contracts which we certainly believe are valid with the two drivers we have, and barring running three drivers, which is currently not in the rules, I would have to say there's no space for you Damon.

"I was somewhat surprised that he turned down the McLaren deal. It was a very well financed team . . . and I'd have to question why he did that If ever he came to us to discuss anything, that would be one of the questions - `What on earth did you do that for?' "