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DHL is to sign a £21m-a-year deal to become title sponsor of

Jordan, giving the Formula One team a headline non-tobacco backer ahead

of the 2006 industry ban.

The Deutsche Post-owned courier brand will replace Gallaher Tobacco's

Benson & Hedges brand, which has been the prime name on the British

racing outfit since 1996.

The three-year deal, to be announced at the Jordan team's 2002 car

launch in Brussels on Friday, underlines Deutsche Post's intention to

develop the international potential of DHL.

It will see the team renamed DHL Jordan Honda as it begins its assault

on the world championship, beginning with next month's Australian Grand

Prix in Melbourne.

DHL's investment represents a boost for F1 at a time when the global

economic downturn and the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the US

have made it difficult for the sport to attract major new sponsors.

Ferrari's deal with Vodafone and Panasonic's title sponsorship of the

new Toyota team have been the only other significant pre-season

commercial agreements.

Gallaher Tobacco is currently scaling back its involvement in F1,

although it will continue as a major partner of the Jordan team.

Tobacco firms have been given until 2006 to leave the sport. The

Marlboro brand continues to dominate Ferrari's cars, while British

American Tobacco's Lucky Strike brand adorns the British American Racing

drivers.