CANADIAN GRAND PRIX, MONTREAL, 13 - 15 JUNE 2003

Jordan Ford moves on to the Canadian Grand Prix, full of anticipation, as the Montreal race has historically been successful for the Northamptonshire-based team.  Andrea de Cesaris and Bertrand Gachot finished 4th and 5th here in 1991 to score Jordan’s first points in Formula One and in 1995 Rubens Barrichello and Eddie Irvine achieved the team’s first double podium.  The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is also one of Giancarlo Fisichella’s favourite tracks, where he had his first F1 podium with 3rd place in 1997 and also where he scored points for the team last year.

Gary Anderson, Director of Race and Testing Engineering, said, “This track is interesting, because with the downforce levels we run, there is the chance to do something different.  Pit stop strategies will be worth watching because normally the tyres are very good and the lap time gets better as the race goes on.  So someone who takes a gamble, running long to the first stop, will benefit - but obviously their grid slot will compromise their position at the start.  It will be interesting to see who comes out of the pack to take the risk early on and I anticipate that some of the top teams would have a good mix to cover all eventualities! 

“This is a good race for Jordan and we enjoy coming here.  Competition is tough at the moment but we are battling reasonably with the midfield behind the top four.  We are fighting to be ahead so that if anyone at the front suffers consequential losses, we’ll be in a position to take advantage of it.  In Canada retirements are not unheard of, with engines and brakes on the limit and also with the car running light to climb the kerbs, mistakes can be made and incidents happen.  We’ve got to stay neat and tidy, keep it on the road and hopefully reap some rewards at the end.”

“Giancarlo is always good here and it’s another track that needs finesse, with long straights, low downforce and some quite fiddly chicanes. There are overtaking manoeuvres up for grabs but no matter what the track you need the performance to do the job.  As always, our expectations are reasonable - we’ve done well here in the past and hopefully we can do the same again.”

Giancarlo Fisichella
“I don’t know why but I always seem to go well at the Canadian Grand Prix.  I feel very confident at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve because it is quite easy for me to find the limits of the car and the track each time I get there.  You have to be quick in the chicanes and there are three or four of them so maybe that’s why I drive well here and get good results.  Added to that, I really like the city and it’s usually a good weekend.  I’m hoping to score points again this year."

Ralph Firman
“We’ve had a reasonable test session in preparation for Canada, and the most valuable thing for me was to get more time in the car.  I’m getting more and more comfortable with it now and I’m really looking forward to Montreal as it’s always enjoyable to learn new circuits.  I’ve only seen the track on TV but it looks really interesting because there seem to be overtaking opportunities and good racing so I hope we’ll have the chance to get in the points again.”

Jost Capito, Director, Ford Team RS
“The Canadian Grand Prix marks the halfway point of the season and, after a run of European races, is the first long haul event since Jordan Ford triumphed in the Brazilian Grand Prix.  Both Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralph Firman comfortably finished the last race in Monaco, illustrating a dependable combination of cars and drivers. We aim to repeat this performance in Montreal, and I hope that this time we can be rewarded with some points. This event has traditionally seen plenty of incidents, so there is every chance of a good result for those who make it to the chequered flag."