Firman to fill Jordan seat

Firman has also been test driving for BAR

Jordan's vacant Formula One seat is set to be filled by Britain's Ralph Firman.

The 27-year-old from Norwich will become the fourth Briton on the F1 grid for 2003.

Firman is having a seat fitting on Monday and will be formally announced on Tuesday as the new team-mate of Giancarlo Fisicella.

He gets the nod ahead of fellow Briton Gary Paffett and Brazilian Felipe Massa.

Firman facts

1990: British junior kart champion

1992: British senior kart champion

1996: British Formula 3 champion

1997: Formula Nippon debut

2002: Formula Nippon champion

Jordan had the last remaining seat on the F1 grid having released Japanese driver Takuma Sato.

But Firman's appointment is something of a calculated gamble.

He has only sat in a F1 car three times, and has been largely out of sight in Japan since winning the British Formula Three Championship in 1996.

Firman is the reigning champion of the Japanese Formula Nippon series, and did some testing with BAR back in December.

He believed Massa was favourite for the drive, but buoyed by extra television revenue and sponsor interest, Jordan are set to grant his wish to get on the F1 grid.

"It's what I've always dreamed of," Firman said.