2003 Japanese GP

Another favourite among drivers, Suzuka is a unique figure of eight layout containing a mixture of tight and wide, fast corners requiring total dedication and commitment from start to finish. It has a smooth surface, but there are a few bumps that will require a stiff suspension setting. Given the varying corners, downforce settings will be medium.

The Japanese circuit is one of the most challenging that the Formula One calendar has to offer. It demands that before a driver enters a corner he has already had to prepare for the next one. Suzuka is full of surprises and the chicane before the start-finish line can be very tricky. It seems quite simple to start with, but can entice a driver to brake too late, leading him to over run the corner and lose a second in the process. This extremely fast and technical circuit boasts a varied range of corners, from tight hairpin and chicane to the flat out '130R' left hander taken almost flat out. It also stands out as it has the unusual distinction of being situated in the middle of an amusement park!

The Japanese Grand Prix is a favourite for Jordan Ford drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralph Firman, both of whom particularly enjoy the driving style of the Suzuka circuit.

Returning to Japan also has positive associations for the team following a thrilling race for Jordan at Suzuka last year and this Grand Prix being the home race for Jordan sponsors Bridgestone and Brother only adds to the sense of anticipation as the final round of the Championship approaches.

Satoshi Motoyama, the Japanese driver leading the 2003 Formula Nippon Championship, will drive Jordan Ford’s third car at the private test session on Friday 10 October, ten years since Jordan gave Eddie Irvine, the then Formula Nippon Championship leader, his F1 debut at Suzuka.

Motoyama has four race wins in the Formula Nippon Championship (won by Ralph Firman last year) to his name including one at Suzuka for Team IMPUL, owned by the legendary Japanese driver Kazuyoshi Hoshino. He is also currently second in the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship.

Jacques Villeneuve may well have taken part in his last ever grand prix, at Indianapolis a fortnight ago. Today, 9th October, the BAR-Honda team held a press conference at Suzuka circuit to announce that the Canadian would not be taking part in this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

RALPH FIRMAN 17th 1:33.057
CHASSIS NUMBER EJ13-04
"It’s great to be back here, it’s like my second home and the only circuit this year that I know really well. I’m really enjoying it and it’s only my second race coming back after the accident. I’m working well with the team and we’ve found a reasonably good balance but there’s still more time to find, especially at the first corner, and our final position is a bit disappointing."

This mornings’ practice sessions went without incident for the Jordan Ford team in Japan. Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralph Firman made the most of the track time at Suzuka clocking up a combined total of 53 laps of the 5.8km circuit.

Things however didn’t got quite so well for McLaren with championship hopeful Kimi Raikkonen spinning off the track in the first of the two practice sessions resulting in his team mate David Coulthard sacrificing his car for the second session.

Jordan Ford drivers Ralph Firman and Giancarlo Fisichella will line up alongside each other behind the Ferrari of Drivers’ Championship leader Michael Schumacher on the grid for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The light rain that fell in the second half of the session did not affect Jordan’s qualifying and a trouble-free morning of practice and warm-up allowed the team to get the maximum performance available from both cars.

The final round of the 2003 Formula One World Championship was an unfulfilling race for Jordan Ford, with Ralph Firman finishing 14th following problems with the fuel rig in his pit stop and a fuel pick-up problem throughout the race, and Giancarlo Fisichella was forced to retire on lap 34 when a refuelling error caused him to run out of fuel before his second pit stop.

RALPH FIRMAN 14th
CHASSIS NUMBER EJ13-04
"That was an unfortunate end to the season. I had a fuel rig problem in the pit stop and a pick-up problem in the fuel tank, which meant in my second stint I had to carry a lot more fuel than planned.