By Phil Huff
May 17 2007

Former Grand Prix team boss Eddie Jordan knows what's missing from Honda Racing F1. Him. Speaking at the launch of his new book, An Independent Man, Jordan said that the team needs a real racer at the helm, suggesting that the Brackley are too corporate led, and are letting their drivers down.

"Jenson Button is a serious racing driver," said the Irishman. "Honda's problem is that they do not have a real racer running the team. Frank Williams has been involved in motor racing for 40 years of his life. Ron Dennis the same. I did 35 years."

"When you have grafted, done your time, seen the disappointment, the pain, the trauma and you know how to come back to a position of strength you give confidence to the team. They know that the only reason you are there is to win. I need to see that person at Honda. Toyota, too."

Jordan feels a touch of sympathy for Jenson Button's situation, hinting that he may be better off looking outside of Honda for another drive. "If I was Button's manager I would be having very hard and detailed conversations about what is Honda's plan," he explained. "You have people like Trevor Foster, Gary Anderson, Ross Brawn sitting at home doing other things. But they are absolute winners, absolute racers. Jenson must feel terribly let down."

With the future of many of the senior team at Honda Racing F1 currently in doubt, Eddie Jordan then throws his hat into the ring. Asked if he'd like to have a go at running the squad, he replied "I could be persuaded, given the resources Honda have. But what they really need is an Eddie Jordan 20 years younger than he is now, who is totally committed, absolutely on fire to make sure that things happen.

"Unless you have a real racer, who has been through Formula Ford, Formula Three, knows the ups and downs, knows how to screw the last ounce of performance out of people, creating this team spirit that is so important, you are never going to succeed."

"Honda have the legacy and history of winning championships," he continued. "It is one of the saddest things to see a couple of great drivers floundering around trying to scramble points.

"It is just ridiculous."