Eddie Jordan has hit out at Ford, following the company's decision to pull out of F1 at the end of the year, thereby leaving the Irish team without engines for 2005, despite the fact that the Silverstone-based outfit has a three-year contract.

"To say I am disappointed with Ford is an understatement," he told The Guardian "I have been trying to keep my total dismay under control.

"I am angered that after a long relationship I should get seven minutes notice that they were pulling out," he added. "It's now almost too late to build a sophisticated car around a new engine.

"You cannot believe their behaviour and believe me, I am only scratching the surface," added the Irishman. "Ford have behaved appallingly, I kid you not."

Despite his apparent anger, it should be noted that Jordan has been in remarkably good spirits recently, and not looking anything like a man in trouble, indeed he was a little the worse for wear and throwing water over guests at a party attended by Mr and Mrs David Richards, Juan Pablo Montoya, Baumgartner, Leinders, Bruni, Stoddart and representatives from Williams, Jordan, BAR, Jaguar, Minardi and Toyota on Thursday night.

Furthermore, despite his criticism of Ford, Jordan has made no secret of his attempts to woo alternative engine suppliers in the last year.