Brazilian Felipe Massa is said to be on the verge of joining the Jordan team, tying up the only vacancy left on the Formula One grid.

A spokesman for the former Sauber driver said Massa had agreed terms with Jordan but has yet to sign a contract.

"The terms have been settled. The only thing missing is for him to sign," Marcio Fonseca told the Reuters news agency.

"We imagine they (Jordan) are talking to other drivers. On our side everything is ready, it should happen before the end of the week. Felipe Massa is anxious for it to be resolved."

Jordan have still to announce their title sponsor for 2003

A Jordan spokeswoman said on Wednesday that they were still talking to several drivers and Fonseca recognised that the situation could still change.

Jordan have said that whoever replaces Japan's Takuma Sato, who has now joined BAR as a test driver, must bring in a significant amount of sponsorship.

British driver Ralph Firman has also been linked to the team but feels Massa is favourite because of his financial backing.

Italian Giorgio Pantano is also a contender, but Eddie Irvine is out of the picture after negotiations broke down last week.

Massa, 21, drove for Sauber in his debut season last year but lost his place to Heinz-Harald Frentzen for 2003 after the Swiss team grew fed up with his stream of accidents.

Jordan have yet to announce a title sponsor and have been testing with number one driver Giancarlo Fisichella in an unmarked black car.