Eddie Jordan has played down speculation linking Jos Verstappen to the seat currently occupied🗹ℱ by F1 rookie Giorgio Pantano, despite signing a deal with the Dutchman's principal backer.

Already under fire for what many have viewed as lacklustre performances in the opening three rac📖es of the year, Pantano's position was rumoure𓂃d to be in greater jeopardy when Jordan and Trust announced that they had agreed a sponsorship deal to the end of the season. Trust backed Verstappen into a seat at Minardi last year, and invited his manager to talks with Jordan this week, but the Silverstone-based team insists that it will remain with its original line-up.

"We tried very hard to put something together [with Verstappen at the start of the season] which, for a number of reasons, didn't happen," Jordan told Reuters journalists at the San Marino Grand Prix, "I have made my choice with the drivers I have, an𒉰d that's what the contract says and that's what will continue.

Despite not looking likely to hire the Dutchman himself, Jordan admitted that he would push his claim to a seat if an opening arose elsewhe🐭re.

"I think he is a good driver and I'd like to help him if I can," Jordan said, "He tr🌱ied very hard to drive for us this year but, sometimes, right a🎃t the end, it doesn't happen. "Having said that, there could be a testing agreement with somebody, there could be a big team needs a driver...if we can help him in any way we will do."