Slow start in the US for Jordan
By Phil Giles
June 19 2004
Jordan completed yesterday's free practice session with Friday Test Driver Timo Glock again posting the fastest Friday time for the team. Giorgio's first drive for the team since the European Grand Prix saw him fined $3000 for breaking the pit lane speed limit.
The team appear to be struggling with the car's balance due to the June temperatures at the track.
James Robinson said, “The programme has been that of a usual Friday but it’s been a hard day. We have concentrated on tyre homework, like everybody in the pit lane I’m sure. Indianapolis is very hard on tyres and today’s high ambient and track temperatures reinforced the need to do the homework well. On the positive side it was generally a trouble free practice although Nick had a small oil leak at the end which cost him the last few minutes, but nothing too serious. We now have a heavy night ahead of us to study the data to improve our race balance for tomorrow.”
Fastest for Jordan, Timo said, “The first practice was difficult because the track didn’t have much grip. It improved lap by lap but we still have the same problems really - the car is good for one lap and then we get oversteer and traction problems. We have to look for a better set-up and work long and hard tonight to improve the car for long runs.”
Nick commented: “Unfortunately, this has not been our best Friday practice day, not because of reliability - which is not an issue - but because the balance has been difficult from the start. We made some good improvements between the sessions but we still have a very nervous rear on the car and we need to work very hard for tomorrow.”
Giorgio said: “Today was a learning day for me as I have never been here as a driver before and have to learn the circuit. By the end of the day I was quite happy with knowing the track and we have been working on the balance of the car and tyres. We have some problems with the car’s rear stability so now we are going to check what we can to for tomorrow.”