The Jordan Grand Prix drivers are heading to Turkey after spending the three-week gap between Budapest and Istanbul relaxing at home with their families and doing media and public relations activities. Istanbul will host its first Formula One race at the end of the week with an impressive brand new circuit, which has been designed by well-known German architect, Herman Tilke who had also designed Sepang, Bahrain and Shanghai circuits. For the first time this season, all drivers will be racing on equal terms, as they will all have to learn the layout of the track in a short period of time. Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan will also need to be well prepared for a very hot race again but also because the racetrack runs anti-clockwise like the San Marino and Brazilian races.
Jason Tahincioglu, the Turkish Formula Renault British Championship driver will have a unique opportunity to impress his home crowds at the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix next week, when he will drive a Jordan Grand Prix EJ15 for a demonstration run on race day.
Narain Karthikeyan: "I went to India during the break to do a lot of promotions, as it was the first time I had been back to my country in four months. I did a lot of work for my sponsors there, so I have been very busy for the first ten days. I have also spent some time with my family, which was very nice. Then I went straight to Turkey in order to learn the circuit. In the meantime, I have done some computer games of the new Turkish circuit, so I could at least learn what it's like. I have also trained a lot, as again it will be a very hot race. The good thing is that, from now on, I am very happy to say that apart from Turkey, which will be new for everybody, I know the next four circuits and I hope to do well."
Tiago Monteiro: "After Budapest, I went to Portugal to see my family for a few days but also to do a lot of promotions for my sponsors, such as shooting a commercial for instance. I only had maybe three days off in the whole two weeks, so even though we could not test the car, I have been very busy off the track. I am very excited about going to Turkey, a country I have never been to, but also because this is a new circuit, where everybody will be on the same level, learning the new layout, which could maybe be good for us. We know it is going to be a very difficult race as the weather conditions will be once again very hot, but I will do my best to finish another race."
Nicolas Kiesa: "During the three-week break, I have been doing a lot of physical training. To be honest, I am not sure that if I had had a race drive opportunity at Hockenheim or Budapest, I do not think I would have been physically ready for that. I have been doing a lot of work on strengthening my neck and shoulders. Turkey will be a new circuit for everyone, so it will be interesting to see how the different teams and drivers will adapt to the track. I was used to new circuits when I was driving in F3000. In my first year, every circuit we went to, I went straight into qualifying, so I had to learn quickly. I think I was quite good at that, so I hope it will be the same case here and that I will be able to do a good job for the team.
Adrian Burgess Sporting Director: "Turkey will host a whole variety of technical challenges for the team and the drivers, which will make the weekend more interesting than some other circuits we go to. Our drivers will not have the disadvantage of being the only ones not knowing the circuit as it will be new for everybody. For the team, there will no doubt be a few surprises, which will be motivating for the engineers and technicians in order to understand and get the best from the package available.
