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Leinders lines up Jordan test

Dallara-Nissan racer joins list of hopefuls angling for race seat

Belgium's Bas Leinders will test for Jordan-Ford in the team's first outing of 2004 at Barcelona in Spain next week.

The 28-year-old will get his first taste of an F1 car on January 21, the second day of Jordan's four-day test session.

"I'm very happy that Jordan have given me the opportunity to do my first Formula 1 test," said Leinders. "I, along with all Belgians, am looking forward to this. Hopefully we can do a good job and see what the future brings."

Team principal Eddie Jordan said: "I'm pleased to give Bas Leinders this opportunity in F1. He has proved himself to be a talented and persistent driver in the junior categories and this chance is well deserved. I'm delighted to see the Belgian Grand Prix return to the calendar – we have great memories associated with the track at Spa-Francorchamps, where we scored our historic one-two maiden victory – and it would be great if there was a Belgian driver participating as well."

Leinders possesses a CV bristling with titles in the junior formulae, including British and European Formula Ford title in 1995, the Formula Opel EuroSeries in 1996 and the German Formula 3 Championship in 1998. He finished third in the highly-competitive Dallara-Nissan World Series in 2002 and '03.

bron: www.autosport.com