Jordan had a difficult free practice day in Indianapolis with all the drivers reporting balance problems at the circuit which is always tough for getting the best balance from car and tyres.  The temperatures are also higher than the teams are used to, as the race is in June rather than September this year, which has also had an effect on balance issues.

James Robinson said, “The programme has been that of a usual Friday but it’s been a hard day.  We have concentrated on tyre homework, like everybody in the pit lane I’m sure.   Indianapolis is very hard on tyres and today’s high ambient and track temperatures reinforced the need to do the homework well.  On the positive side it was generally a trouble free practice although Nick had a small oil leak at the end which cost him the last few minutes, but nothing too serious.  We now have a heavy night ahead of us to study the data to improve our race balance for tomorrow.”
 

FREE PRACTICE 1
Timo Glock (EJ14/01)  20th    1:15.017 25 laps
Nick Heidfeld (EJ14/03)  21st    1:15.020  14 laps
Giorgio Pantano (EJ14/02) 23rd  1:15.260 20 laps

FREE PRACTICE 2
Timo Glock (EJ14/01)  19th    1:13.446   33 laps
Nick Heidfeld (EJ14/03)  21st   1:13.961  18 laps
Giorgio Pantano (EJ14/02) 22nd   1:14.407 21 laps

TIMO GLOCK  
“The first practice was difficult because the track didn’t have much grip.  It improved lap by lap but we still have the same problems really - the car is good for one lap and then we get oversteer and traction problems.  We have to look for a better set-up and work long and hard tonight to improve the car for long runs.”

NICK HEIDFELD 
“Unfortunately, this has not been our best Friday practice day, not because of reliability - which is not an issue - but because the balance has been difficult from the start.  We made some good improvements between the sessions but we still have a very nervous rear on the car and we need to work very hard for tomorrow.”

GIORGIO PANTANO
“Today was a learning day for me as I have never been here as a driver before and have to learn the circuit.  By the end of the day I was quite happy with knowing the track and we have been working on the balance of the car and tyres.  We have some problems with the car’s rear stability so now we are going to check what we can to for tomorrow.”