Hungaroring, Hungary 24 August 2003

Just ten miles south-east of the beautiful city of Budapest, the hills surrounding the Hungaroring form a natural amphitheatre to offer fabulous views of virtually the whole circuit.

Hungaroring hosted its first Grand Prix in 1986 and its twisty configuration with slow corners makes this circuit one of the slowest on the calendar. Maximum downforce is required for fast cornering and with few overtaking opportunities, a good qualifying position is crucial.

Hungarian GP Preview


The Jordan factory has been as industrious as always in preparation for the next round of the World Championship, while the three week gap between races in the usually unrelenting schedule means travelling team members arrive at the Hungarian Grand Prix revitalised. The team continues to be hungry for success and is working determinedly to get maximum performance from the EJ13 package.

Ralf gets off lightly


The BMW WilliamsF1 Team celebrated an off-the-track victory today with the successful appeal of a sanction imposed, following the decision made by race stewards that Schumacher "caused an avoidable collision" at the German GP.

The televised Court of Appeal decided that the original sanction, stating that Schumacher be demoted 10 places on the grid at the Hungarian GP, was "inappropriate". Schumacher instead faces a fine of £33,000.

Barrichello and Raikkonen to see the Stewards


Having attended the FIA International Court of Appeal on Tuesday, looking into the accident at the start of the German GP, Rubens Barrichello and Kimi Raikkonen have now been asked to meet the Stewards here in Budapest. This is because analysis of the accident data recorders shows that these two drivers might have been imputed in the incident, as well as Ralf Schumacher. “I have nothing much to say,” commented Barrichello in Hungary. “None of us was driving aggressively. We just did not realise how close we were to one another.”

Friday Test Session


Jordan Ford made the most of their two-hour test session this morning at the Hungaroring clocking up 84 laps of the 4.38km circuit. Firman and Fisichella were joined on the track by 22-year-old Hungarian hopeful Zsolt Baumgartner. Following on from his successful test in Hockenheim the Formula 3000 driver completed the test session without incident.

Friday Practice in Hungary


The practice session during the run up to this afternoon's qualifying session went reasonably well for the Jordan Ford team. Director of Race and Test Engineering Gary Anderson commented: "Giancarlo was only able to do 7 laps in the private testing session as he had two engine failures, however Ralph and Zsolt had a reasonable session and got through the programme which included some set-up and tyre evaluation.  In the free practice session Giancarlo had to use the spare car as there wasn't enough time to carry out the second engine change, so there's a bit of work just getting up to speed and doing some set-up work on his car."

Friday qualifying results from Hungary


Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralph Firman were 16th and 17th in first qualifying as high track temperatures caused the EJ13 to lose grip, making it very difficult for the drivers to reproduce their quicker lap times of the morning free practice session.  

Fisichella lost most of the two hour private test session as he suffered an engine failure shortly after taking to the track and experienced a second failure almost immediately following the subsequent engine change.  With insufficient time to change engines again before free practice, he completed the rest of the day’s sessions in the spare car.

 

Saturday Practice Session - Ralph Crashes

 

Ralph Firman crashed heavily following a rear wing failure in this morning's free practice session in Budapest.  He was taken to the medical centre at the circuit and then flown to hospital for full tests. 

Jordan Ford Drivers


Following his accident during this morning’s free practice session, Ralph Firman was taken first to the circuit medical centre and then to Orszagos Traumatologiai Intezet hospital at Sebeszeti Osztaly, near Budapest for full scans and x-rays, the results of which were all clear. Firman has a severely bruised heel and slight concussion and will remain in hospital overnight for observation and further scans in the morning.

Saturday Qualifying


Giancarlo Fisichella and Zsolt Baumgartner will line up 13th and 19th on the grid in tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix. The final qualifying session ran comparatively smoothly for Jordan Ford after an eventful morning during which Ralph Firman crashed heavily in the first practice session and was flown to hospital for medical tests.

Firman has a severely bruised heel and slight concussion and it was decided in consultation with FIA Medical Delegate Professor Sid Watkins that he would not participate in any further sessions this weekend. Jordan Ford was granted permission to substitute Zsolt Baumgartner as the driver of car 12 in time for warm-up and final qualifying, making Baumgartner the first Hungarian driver to participate in a Formula One World Championship race.

Fisichella signs for Sauber


 

Following today's announcement that Giancarlo Fisichella will drive for Sauber in 2004, Eddie Jordan commented,
 
"I like Giancarlo immensely as a person and he's a really quick driver.  We enjoyed our first season together in 1997 and we are particularly pleased that we could give him his first win in Brazil this year.  We wish him well."
Firman on the mend


Despite his crash during practice yesterday (Saturday) morning, Jordan Ford driver, Ralph Firman returned to the Hungarian circuit to show the team his support ahead of the race this afternoon. FIA Medical Delegate Professor Sid Watkins advised the team that Firman would be unable to participate in any further sessions over the weekend.

Jordan Ford was granted permission to substitute Zsolt Baumgartner as the driver of car 12 in time for warm-up and final qualifying, making Baumgartner the first Hungarian driver to participate in a Formula One World Championship race.

Race results from Hungary


Jordan Ford experienced two engine failures in today’s Hungarian Grand Prix with Giancarlo Fisichella and Zsolt Baumgartner retiring on laps 29 and 35 respectively. The failures happened without warning and will be assessed in detail by Cosworth at the factory.

Ralph Firman sat out of the race after experiencing a heavy accident in yesterday’s free practice but the British driver was present at the Hungaroring to watch the race with the team. He was released from hospital this morning following tests which diagnosed a bruised heel and slight concussion but no serious injury.