Following a positive start in Melbourne, where both cars crossed the finishing line, Jordan Grand Prix is looking forward to the challenge of the Malaysian Grand Prix. After one day off, driver Narain Karthikeyan travelled straight to Malaysia to acclimatise and prepare for the extremely hot and humid conditions of Kuala Lumpur's Sepang International Circuit. As for Tiago Monteiro, he stayed in Australia but nevertheless he followed a strict programme, prepared for him by Gerard Gray, Jordan Grand Prix team's physiotherapist.
"In Malaysia for training, the drivers were working approximately four hours a day. They have realised after the Australian race, that they need to prepare even more intensively for Malaysia where the track temperature, the cockpit temperature and the humidity make it the most difficult and physical race of the year.” Gray explains. “Every day, the drivers were in the gym working their neck, shoulder, stomach and back muscles. Additionally, they did a lot of cardio work and circuit training.
"In addition, Narain and Tiago did a lot of stretching and received daily massage therapy. It is essential for a driver to have lean, supple muscles that maintain strength but also keep a low weight, so it makes it easier for the engineers to design a car around them."
Gray adds. "It was an intensive programme. They were guaranteed to be working extremely hard in high temperatures to prepare them for the Malaysian race. Nutritionally, they also had to be trained for a much hotter race. They are drinking different energy drinks to replace the salt that they loose through sweat. So the nutritional strategy for the Malaysian Grand Prix will be different to that used in Australia. The better prepared, the better they are going to be."
Narain Karthikeyan: After the first race in Australia, I went directly to Malaysia to prepare physically for the tough weather conditions. I have trained a lot outdoors, about four hours a day, especially doing some cardio work. I have also been around the track and the first things I have noticed are that it is not very clean and it is very wide. However, I think it will suit my style of driving. I am a little bit worried about the very hot conditions here in Malaysia, as it is very humid. Physically, it will be very challenging but I will push hard for it, as I did in Australia and hopefully finish the race again."
Tiago Monteiro: "I stayed in Australia between the two races to relax and recover from my cold. Nevertheless, I have also gone through a fitness programme that my trainer had prepared for me. Malaysia will be another unknown track for me. My goal here is to learn the circuit as fast as I can and obviously try to finish the race. The track is quite different from Melbourne, there are many high-speed corners and the hot temperature and the humidity will probably make it the toughest race of the year. However, I am really looking forward to the challenge."
Paul Monaghan, Chief Race Engineer: "Sepang International Circuit is a very demanding one: the hot track temperature creates unique conditions for the drivers, tyres and engine. A good car balance is required for the track's flowing nature, which then eases the braking requirements. At present, we are facing challenges with two new drivers, tyres and engine regulations, but we are building on the lessons learnt at the Australian Grand Prix and seeking to get the most from everything here this weekend."
