30 July: Hungarian Grand Prix - Saturday Qualifying Report - Jordan Grand
Prix
Jordan Grand Prix drivers, Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro, continued to make good progress with chassis set-up
during the final two practice sessions on Saturday and reported better handling. Due to an unscheduled change of engine for Monteiro
after the free practice, he will start the race from the back of the grid as he only completed an installation lap in qualifying.
With track temperatures rising as high as 50°C, Karthikeyan had a clean lap and qualified in 18th position.
TEAM QUOTES ON
THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING SESSION
NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN (EJ5/01) “My qualifying lap was quite clean but
the air and track temperatures were very high, so it will be interesting to see what will happen during the Grand Prix. I also think
the track was a bit slower compared to this morning. However, I do think we have a good strategy for tomorrow and I am pretty
confident about our Bridgestone tyre choice as well.”
TIAGO MONTEIRO (EJ15/03) “We had some engine issues this
morning in free practice. Therefore, we took the decision not to take any unnecessary risks for tomorrow’s race and change the
engine. We had to adapt our strategy and this explains why I only did an installation lap in order to make sure everything is fine
and also to save fuel and tyres. It is a bit frustrating but this is part of the game. However, it is going to be a long race in
very hot conditions, so anything could happen.”
ADRIAN BURGESS, SPORTING DIRECTOR “First of all, I would like to
thank Toyota for showing their faith in joining Jordan and Midland again next year, which will please everybody at the factory and
the people here at the circuit. I would also like to welcome on board Johnny Herbert, who will be a welcome breath of fresh air as
he is a very experienced and likeable character. There is no doubt that everybody will get on well with him. In practice this
morning, we had a small issue with Tiago’s engine and had to change our strategy. Narain had a good clean lap and we are happy
with our strategy for tomorrow.”
