The Jordan team has dismissed reports that Japan's Takuma Sato has been dropped from the line-up for next season.

Sato and team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella were not included in the official list of drivers for 2003 which was published on Monday.

But Jordan insisted on Wednesday that they are still talking to the former British Formula Three champion, along with several other drivers.

"We have not dropped Takuma," said a Jordan spokeswoman.

"We would love to keep him but, as everyone knows, there are commercial considerations. We are talking to a number of drivers."

Sato scored his first points for Jordan with a fifth-place finish in the final race of last season in Japan.

But Brazil's Enrique Bernoldi is favourite to land the drive because he can bring about �8m sponsorship to the team.

Bernoldi's countryman Felipe Massa has been in talks after being replaced at Sauber, while British duo Eddie Irvine and Anthony Davidson have also been linked.

Davidson, however, admitted last week that he did not have the �2m needed to get a drive at Minardi.