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Arguably one of the most atmospheric venues in the F1 calendar, Monza is the closest you can get to an oval circuit. It has fast sweeping corners followed by long fast straights. The speed of the track means low downforce settings, which can make it tricky for drivers in the chicanes. Some big bumps also make it necessary for the cars to have stiff settings. Fresh from a points finish in Belgium, the Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda team travels to Monza, the circuit where it enjoyed victory two years ago. The 1999 win, probably the most notable of Jordan's three race victories for being achieved on a dry track against strong competition, helps to build Jordan's confidence in its fight for fourth place in the 2001 World Championship. "It always feels good to go back to a circuit where you have previously won and Jordan has shown to be fairly strong at Monza in the past. Coming to this race having scored a point in Belgium is also a good morale boost for the team," commented Trevor Foster, Jordan's Managing Director.
A slow but steady start to practice by Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda saw Jean Alesi and Jarno Trulli set ninth and 12th fastest times, neither driver experiencing any serious technical difficulties. The first practice session was scheduled to run ten minutes earlier than usual to allow the observance of a one minute silence at midday. The Ferrari drivers and their cars ran without commercial branding and advertising at their home track as an additional mark of respect for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the USA.
An encouraging morning for Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda as Jarno Trulli set third fastest time while a transmission problem late in the second session dropped Jean Alesi to 13th. Morning practice was run in sunny conditions although the track was still drying out after heavy overnight rain.
Mixed emotions at the end of qualifying for Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda as Jarno Trulli claimed fifth on the grid but problems for Jean Alesi meant he could not improve on 16th place.
An uneventful warm-up this morning for Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda as Jarno Trulli and Jean Alesi were sixth and seventh fastest. The 30-minute session was run in dry, sunny conditions. "No problems this morning; a normal warm-up," said Trevor Foster, joint managing director.
The race started badly for Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda when Jarno Trulli was hit from behind and eliminated at the first corner. Jean Alesi's impressive run towards the points was not helped by an early second pit stop because of a suspected puncture. Alesi finished eighth. "I think most people will be pleased that Monza is over this year," said Eddie Jordan. "It was a difficult enough weekend for everybody without Jarno then being hit from behind at the first corner when we were hopeful for points. I feel very sorry for Jarno. Obviously it is disappointing not to have salvaged something. Jean thought he had a puncture on his second set of tyres and that meant we had to do a very early second stop, which didn't suit our game plan." |
