Briton Ralph Firman could make a surprise Formula One debut this season after the Jordan team said he was one of two drivers at the top of the shortlist for their remaining seat.

Firman, the reigning champion of the Japanese Formula Nippon series, is battling for the seat with Brazilian Felipe Massa, who drove for Sauber last year.

Jordan marketing director Mark Gallagher said Massa and Firman were "very much in discussion" for the drive.

Italian Formula 3000 driver Giorgio Pantano was also in consideration, while BAR test driver Anthony Davidson had faded from the front row of candidates, Gallagher said.

Massa is the favourite - he's in plum position because he's got some heavy backing Ralph Firman

Briton Eddie Irvine, previously seen as a contender, dropped out of the reckoning on Thursday when the 37-year-old said he would not be racing this year.

Jordan have the last remaining seat on the F1 grid having released Japanese Takuma Sato. Italian Giancarlo Fisichella is their lead driver.

They have said that the choice will depend ultimately on the driver bringing sponsorship to the team.

Gallagher said that an internal decision was likely next week.

"The discussions are coming along, it's pretty imminent. At the end of the day we have to go testing [with the new car]," he said.

Firman, 27, has tested with BAR and was British Formula Three champion in 1996, when one of his rivals was current F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

Massa is said to have lots of money available

But Firman said that former Sauber driver Massa remained the front-runner and he had plans to return to Japan for another season of Formula Nippon if Jordan fell through.

"I think Massa is the favourite. He's in plum position because he's got some heavy backing," Firman said.

"But nothing has been officially signed yet. I would love to be in F1, it's what I've always dreamed of."

Gallagher dismissed a report in the Sun newspaper that suggested Jordan were close to a deal with the energy drink brand Red Bull for a sale of the team.

"There's absolutely nothing in it," he told the Reuters news agency. "We are not discussing a sale of the team with anybody.

"We have made no secret of the fact that we are having sponsorship discussions with a number of major brands but as regards selling the team, that is not on the agenda."

Jordan have yet to announce their title sponsor for 2003 after the departure of Deutsche Post.