London, Feb 15: Jordan finished last season ninth out of the 10 teams, despite a lucky win in Brazil for Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, in their worst showing in a decade.
Pantano won the 2000 German Formula Three title, a championship won by Michael Schumacher in 1990 before he entered Formula One with Jordan the following year, and tested previously for Mclaren, Williams and Benetton.
The Italian was overall runner-up in F3000, the grand prix support series that has in the past acted as a feeder to Formula One, in 2002 and finished third last year.
Pantano thanked Jordan for his big break and allowing him to show his ability.
''I will be giving my all as I really want to guarantee them good results,'' he added.



''I'm looking forward to driving the car some more in the test sessions, and then of course, I am really excited about my first Grand Prix in Melbourne in just a few weeks' time.''



Pantano brings Italy's Formula One presence to four drivers, with Fisichella at Sauber, Jarno Trulli at Renault and Gianmaria Bruni at Minardi.



He drove the new Jordan for the first time at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain on Tuesday.


Bureau Report