FORMULA ONE/News round-up: Eddie Jordan has cleared his post-Canadian Grand Prix schedule in anticipation of a tough court battle as his cash-strapped team seeks Stg£150 million (€210 million) in damages from the Vodafone mobile phone company.
According to a Jordan spokesperson, the team boss is expecting proceedings against the telecommunications giant to begin in the immediate aftermath of this weekend's Montreal race.
Jordan's claim goes back to 2001 when the team alleges that Vodafone had agreed to a sponsorship deal with the team and then signed a deal, estimated to be valued at Stg£110 million, with Ferrari.
Vodafone yesterday issued a statement saying: "Vodafone believes and has been advised by leading counsel that the claim is wholly without merit and on that basis Vodafone is vigorously defending its position."
Jordan though believes he has a case and, according to a team source, taking the case in the commercial court of the High Court in London is proof of the team owner's seriousness.
Until 2002, Jordan had been sponsored by Irish mobile phone company Esat Digifone. Last year the team embarked on a short-lived association with British provider Virgin Mobile.
Meanwhile, Vodafone-sponsored Ferrari, have announced that Michael Schumacher has extended his deal to race for the team until the end of 2006.
There has been speculation in recent weeks that Schumacher would not renew his deal with the champions and would announce that he would retire when his current contract expires in 2004.
The five-time world champion committed himself, however, to a further two years with the Scuderia, alongside the key personnel who have brought Ferrari three drivers' and four constructors' championships in the past four years.
Managing director, Jean Todt, Technical director Ross Brawn, design guru Rory Byrne and engine designer Paolo Martinelli joined Schumacher in pledging to remain with Ferrari until the end of the 2006 season.
Rubens Barrichello, however, was not included in the group. The Brazilian's contract expires at the end of next year and it has been suggested that Ferrari will attempt to sign Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya.
