Jordan set for Germany

Zsolt
By Phil Giles
July 29 2003

Jordan are to run three cars at this weeks test session at Hockenheim. Alongside regular drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralph Firman, will be Zsolt Baumgartner who drove the EJ12 at the Hungaroring last year.

Zsolt took the wheel at a shakedown test on the south circuit at Silverstone yesterday and completed a 50k shakedown. "I was really happy to get a chance to drive an F1 car in normal track conditions. I drove the Jordan EJ-12 last year at the Hungarian Grand Prix but that was just a three-lap demonstration run and this was very different. I hope that I can do a good job with the engineers and the team in Hockenheim and I want to show them my maximum performance, that’s my goal. I know the circuit because I raced at Hockenheim last year in F3000 and I’ll be racing there again this weekend. I know the track well enough from last year to do a good job and my favourite part is definitely the stadium section." He said.

Gary Anderson is looking forward to the session.  “It will be the first time we’ve run three cars in the test session and hopefully it will allow us to understand the tyre performance better over longer runs, something other teams with a third driver have benefited from already this season.”

The team are also looking to this weekends Grand Prix as there is a new engine upgrade due.  With the low downforce at the circuit, the car should also give the team a better run with their setup.  "Hockenheim, even with its recent changes, is a track which requires less than maximum downforce, so we believe that we should be in better position with our car set-up than at some other tracks. We have got an engine performance step from Cosworth at this race and as engines are very important here hopefully that will help us.

"Ralph has never been to Hockenheim so he will need to learn the track, he’s been pretty quick at picking them up so far this season so it shouldn’t be a huge disadvantage but it is something he has to spend time on that other drivers don’t. On Friday morning Zsolt Baumgartner will drive our third car. It will be the first time we’ve run three cars in the test session and hopefully it will allow us to understand the tyre performance better over longer runs, something other teams with a third driver have benefited from already this season.

"We are going to Hockenheim to come away with best result possible and hopefully that will be with a few points. We were in better position at the British Grand Prix than we have been in the last couple of races and our partners Cosworth and Bridgestone are supporting us fully with developments, which should help to put us in a more competitive position. Essentially, we are going to this race to fight and bring home the best result we possibly can."

Giancarlo Fisichella, despite his bouncing out at Silverstone was happy with the teams British GP experience.  "The last Grand Prix was quite encouraging as our pace, balance and grip were all better than in recent races. The team is working hard to give me performance and reliability from the car and my target for the German Grand Prix is to finish the race and, although I think it may be tough, to score some points."

"Going to Hockenheim is another new experience for me as it will be the ninth circuit so far this season on which I have never previously raced in anything, never mind Formula One. "Said Ralph.  "That's been the downside of concentrating on winning the Formula Nippon Championship instead of competing in European Formula 3000. However, I am pretty used to learning the circuits quickly and Hockenheim looks like a very interesting challenge. From what I have heard it's going to be very hot and also that the revised circuit which was introduced last year was quite hard on tyres. No doubt the team has all the valuable information from last year's race and can make the right decisions, and one change already is that we will be using a different tyre construction which will hopefully be good. I had a strong race in Silverstone, though the car's pace is not where we want it to be, but I am determined to give it everything in the hope of more points. I am glad to see that Hockenheim at least offers some good overtaking opportunities."

Let's hope that Hockenheim can produce as much F1 magic as Silverstone did.