4 May: Spanish Grand Prix Preview - Jordan Grand
Prix
Following an encouraging start of the season for Jordan Grand Prix where both cars proved to be very reliable with
only one retirement in four races, the team is eager to race on the Spanish Circuit de Catalunya. Although the track is familiar to
the three drivers from experience before entering F1 and from winter testing, it still remains a challenge for them and the car due
to the mix of high and low-speed corners and an abrasive and bumpy surface. Since the San Marino Grand Prix, a two-day test was
conducted from 27 to 28 April at Silverstone with Narain Karthikeyan, Tiago Monteiro and Nicky Pastorelli, Jordan Grand Prix test
driver, sharing driving duties.
Team Quotes on the Spanish Grand Prix
Narain Karthikeyan “Barcelona
is a track where traction and aerodynamics play an important role because of the long corners and this is the first circuit I know
so far this season; therefore I am particularly keen on racing there. We did a lot of work last week at Silverstone, testing
Bridgestone tyres and trying to find a good car set-up for the Spanish Grand Prix so we are expecting a reasonable run.”
Tiago
Monteiro “We know Circuit de Catalunya well for having tested there in winter, as this is the case for most of the teams
and drivers. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is going to be easy for us. Most of the teams know exactly how to set
up the car on this circuit but I am sure it will be an interesting and challenging weekend. We will definitely do our best, try to
finish the race and keep up with our good finishing record. I am really looking forward to it and it will be probably crazy with the
Fernando Alonso mania.”
Robert Doornbos “I have already had some experience in Barcelona as I raced there last
year in F3000 and I went very well there. Jordan Grand Prix has also been testing there in winter so they were already able to
gather some helpful information. Last week, the team had a positive test at Silverstone and Bridgestone came up with some really
promising tyres for Barcelona but also for the forthcoming races. I am really looking forward to this weekend and especially to
driving on Friday.”
Trevor Carlin, Sporting Director “We are looking forward to the second European race of the
season. We had a very productive test last week at Silverstone, where we did some really good work with Bridgestone. We are hoping
to have another strong race performance like we did in Imola two weeks ago. We have a few small aerodynamic developments and
hopefully this will go closer to the pace.”
Testing Update In preparation for the Spanish Grand Prix, Narain
Karthikeyan, Tiago Monteiro and Nicky Pastorelli, completed two days of testing for Jordan Grand Prix at Silverstone on 27 and 28
April in changing weather conditions. Monteiro did the driving for the first day and half before Pastorelli and Karthikeyan joined
him and shared the duties on the second day. A total of 186 laps was covered by the three drivers. The test enabled the team to gain
further useful data and consisted of extensive work on Bridgestone’s tyre test programme, trying a new gearbox, set-up work and
potential modifications for forthcoming races.
