Paddock sources say the Japanese car giant has already decided to concentrate all its resources on just one team, meaning that either Jordan or BAR would lose works status for 2002, Honda currently provides both outfits with identical works V10 engines, but supplying equal equipment to two teams is thought to be diluting its efforts as it attempts to keep up with the progress made by BMW this year.
"I think Honda are being pushed very hard," said BAR team boss Craig Pollock, "because the Mercedes, Ferrari and BMW engines are so good."

Rivalry between the two teams has been rife this season and after slipping down the order last year, Jordan is currently ahead of BAR in the constructors' standings, but only by a single point.

It remains unclear whether the team losing its works status would receive a supply of semi-works Mugen engines as a substitute. Prior to 2001, Jordan ran Honda-based Mugen V10s before being promoted to full works status this year.

Unfortunately, rumours suggest that Jordan are most likely to be left in the cold, despite Eddie Jordan’s insistence that their current engine deal is guaranteed for five years.