2004 Monaco GP

Possibly the most colourful and glamorous Grand Prix on the calendar, Monaco has hosted this race since 1955. The famous street circuit is lined by Armco barriers, making it a tight and twisty track that is unforgiving as there are no gravel traps or run off areas. Driving precision is therefore vital and it is a tough race all round. For drivers it's incredibly demanding as there is very little time to relax as the corners come up so fast, with the narrow track requiring great concentration. Cars need to run with maximum downforce on this circuit as the average corner speeds are low and heavy braking is required. It's almost impossible to overtake as there is only one very short straight and that's under the tunnel.

Jordan Ford scored its first points of 2004 today in the Monaco Grand Prix thanks to a strong drive from Nick Heidfeld and the team’s clever use of strategy changes in reaction to safety car outings. While Heidfeld scored his best result at this circuit to date - moving Jordan Ford up to eighth in the Constructors’ Championship, teammate Giorgio Pantano was less fortunate as his car developed a transmission problem early in the race and he had to retire in the pits on lap 14.

An exciting qualifying session in Monte Carlo will see Jarno Trulli on pole position in tomorrow's race with Ralf Schumacher, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso lining up behind him on the grid. The Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello qualified 5th and 7th, which should make for thrilling race and increases the possibility of Schumacher's unbroken string of victories this season coming to an end.

Jordan Ford qualified in 17th and 18th positions after a weekend of no technical troubles.

Jordan Ford began the weekend with a smooth-running Free Practice day with no mechanical problems or damage to the cars at the notoriously unforgiving Monte Carlo street circuit. The drivers completed their various programmes and Giorgio Pantano had the quickest lap time of the three, despite driving with a minor injury to his right knee which occurred during an F1 drivers’ charity football match in the Principality two days previously.

Jordan Ford goes to Monte Carlo with positive results from a four-day test at Paul Ricard with all three drivers giving the team grounds for optimism. Furthermore, the traditional unpredictability of the Monaco Grand Prix is a characteristic which suits the maverick team from Silverstone and offers the hope of a better result. Six times Jordan has qualified in the top six at Monte Carlo including a front row with Jarno Trulli in 2000 and the team has eight top 10 race results including: fourth position twice with Heinz-Harald Frentzen in 1999 and Andrea de Cesaris in 1994 and Giancarlo Fisichella finishing fifth in 2002 and sixth in 1997.