Jordan Ford approaches the French Grand Prix aiming for a return to the promising performances of Monaco, Nurburgring and Canada. Team personnel and cars have returned back to base in Silverstone, while the drivers have been home (Nick Heidfeld – Switzerland, Giorgio Pantano – Italy, Timo Glock – Germany) after the two week stay in America to relax and continue training programmes. Timo Glock also spent two days aerodynamic testing with Jordan in Vairano on 23 and 24 June. With the F1 track action moving to Europe and locations closer to home, development, turnaround and transportation of equipment and parts is comparatively straightforward and Jordan is hoping for robust results at the French Grand Prix and the British round of the Championship the following weekend.
Nick Heidfeld: I like the Magny Cours circuit quite a lot, probably more than many drivers who say it's a modern and boring processional track. I really enjoy it, especially the two quick chicanes. It was disappointing for me not to finish the last race because there was a good chance to score points and I'm hoping for a better result at this race.
Giorgio Pantano: Now F1 returns to Europe and tracks that I know, which I'm glad about! I won the F3000 race at Magny Cours last year, and the year before that I came second. It's one of the circuits that suits my driving style. I always find a good balance and rhythm and really enjoy driving here. Finding the limits of this quite technical, fast-corner circuit seemed to come quite easily so I hope it will be the same experience in F1. After a few races with car problems and then missing Canada, I feel I've got some catching up to do and I'm eager for a good result. It would be great to score my first points here.
James Robinson: We are looking forward to racing in Europe again which makes logistics a little bit easier than long-haul locations. Magny Cours is certainly different from the two cities we have just been to! It's in a fantastic area of France renowned for its excellent wine and we enjoy the variety of experience with each of the places we visit. It has a different track characteristic from the races in Canada and North America, with some quicker corners and I'm sure our drivers are eagerly awaiting the challenge they present. We have had a useful test at Vairano, working to extract the maximum from our current aerodynamic package and collect data in preparation for the French Grand Prix. The asphalt type at Magny Cours is quite unusual and a surface we don't see at other tracks so we have been working hard with Bridgestone to develop a tyre that will work there. There is the tendency for inclement weather in this region of France with the odd isolated shower so let's hope they arrive on Sunday. The problem that occurred with Nick's engine in Indianapolis has been understood and measures have been taken to address it so we are confident it won't happen again. We are also hopeful of getting a new engine specification from Cosworth in the forthcoming races.
Eddie Jordan: I can't go to Magny Cours without remembering the fantastic feeling of winning there with Heinz-Harald Frentzen in 1999. We got that victory through a combination of team-work, strategy, a good driver and a car that did the job. We still have it in us to bring all those things to the party and while I might be dreaming to talk about a win at this time, it would be great to see the hard work of the guys at the factory being rewarded with a few more points.
