Nick Heidfeld and Giorgio Pantano finished in 15th and 16th today in the first ever Bahrain Grand Prix.  Michael Schumacher took his third victory out of three this season with Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button joining him on the podium.

James Robinson said, “It was a great race for Bridgestone and an excellent effort by them in winning today, given all the problems and unknowns of a new track.   Both drivers drove a solid race, but with other people’s reliability as it is, we could only pick up 15th and 16th positions.  There were some good pit stops from the boys and other than our one engine-related problem, we have had a reliable weekend.  It’s positive to get two cars home at a new race in what were unknown conditions, early in the season.  Before we arrived we said a two car finish was our aim and we have achieved that so now we will use this as a building block to move forward.”

Nick Heidfeld and Giorgio Pantano set times 15th and 16th quickest in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix tomorrow.  Both drivers found the car’s balance had changed more than expected between practice this morning and qualifying.

Heidfeld said, “I have qualified 15th which is the same as my qualifying in the previous two races but unfortunately this time as we had to change the engine after free practice yesterday, I have to start ten places further back.  I think we did a reasonable job learning the new circuit and the tyres, despite losing some crucial time yesterday when I missed most of the second practice session due to the engine problem.  The biggest issue for me in qualifying was a cone in the middle of the track at turn 10!  It should have been moved, it cost me time as it forced me to take a different line.”

Giorgio Pantano was 13th quickest in Free Practice today in Bahrain, the first time all F1 drivers were out on the new circuit.  With a lap time faster than the other three Italian drivers and after the Ferraris being the quickest driver on Bridgestone tyres, Pantno said, "“I’m quite happy about free practice today.  We have started working in the right direction with the car and also in myself I am getting more comfortable with car, it feels really good.  We are beginning to see a little bit of difference - we are a lot closer to the front in our lap times compared to the last two races which is encouraging.  For sure we still need to improve a lot because this is not the maximum we can do.  But we have come to a track which is new for everybody and the engineers have worked hard to find a good set-up, a really good balance. I think it’s starting to come together and I’m happier.”

“When I first looked at the map of this circuit, I didn’t think much of it,” said Nick Heidfeld. But having walked the brand new Sakhir track on Thursday morning, he has changed his mind. “I was wrong,” admitted the German. “It looks very nice, except that there are a few too many slow corners. But, as there is very little overtaking in F1, the track was probably designed to create more passing opportunities. But there is a downhill “Esses” section that seems interesting and challenging. Of course it might all look completely different tomorrow when I’m sitting in the car.”

The forthcoming inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix will be momentous as the first Formula One race in the Middle East, and it is also significant for Jordan Ford as the hosting Kingdom of Bahrain is a new partner of the team for 2004. 

The unique campaign of cultural and humanitarian messages initiated by His Highness the Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa witnesses a series of different emblems sported on the EJ14 engine covers at each race, beginning with the dove of peace at the Australian Grand Prix, and an image representing human equality at the Malaysian Grand Prix.   The symbol to adorn the Jordan Ford cars at the Bahrain Grand Prix will for the first time be unveiled by His Highness the Crown Prince himself, along with Eddie Jordan and the team’s drivers, on Thursday 1 April at 1700hrs at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Nick Heidfeld said "I’m a little disappointed not to finish a race however on the positive side I have made good starts and my speed has been quite encouraging.  I was keeping a few cars behind me at the Malaysian Grand Prix and our pace was quite good.  I know the team have been working really hard to sort out the technical problems I have experienced and my target for this race is to finish, and maintain the pace that I have been able to find so far. I’m very much looking forward to visiting Bahrain because I think this new race is good for Formula One, after all it’s a World Championship so we should go all over the world.  I always like the challenge of new circuits and I enjoy visiting new places.”

Giorgio Pantano said, “I think this race is going to be quite exciting as the circuit is new for everybody so nobody knows it and in that respect we’re all equal.  It will be interesting to see who is quickest at finding a good set-up for this race. I am happy with two race finishes at this stage and I don’t think we have done a bad job.  Now we can start to improve in terms of speed and results.  I am feeling more confident with the team and with the whole environment.  It’s starting to come together a little bit more easily now and I hope we will see that in Bahrain."

James Robinson, Head of Race and Test Engineering said,
"We have seen plans for the track and some TV coverage - it looks quite remarkable.  It seems the circuit will be medium to heavy on brake wear with its long high speed straights and very tight corners although not having been there ourselves, it’s difficult to give accurate impressions.  The track looks sandy and dirty, which will introduce new problems for the car and its systems, but as this circuit is brand new, everybody should be trying to learn at the same rate.”