BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2000
PREVIEW


The British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday 23rd April will mark Jordan Grand Prix’s 150th race. Commenting on this milestone, Jordan’s Chief Executive, Eddie Jordan said, “It is a rather fitting place to celebrate our 150th Grand Prix given we launched our F1 team in a small factory until at Silverstone 10 years ago. Indeed Silverstone 1991, Jordan’s first British Grand Prix was one of the team’s first great landmarks, as Ian Philips, Jordan’s Director of Business Affairs explains. “We had to get up at 4.30am on Friday to compete in pre-qualifying - the worst hour at any race meeting that anyone could possibly have to endure. 18 teams were entered in the championship in 1991 and De Cesaris and Gachot gave us 15 out of 16 possible car starts. You didn’t get your sponsor guest passes until pre-qualifying was over at 9 am on Friday morning, only then could you invite people to the race…a nightmare !”

Eddie Jordan has many memories over the years. “There have been numerous highlights over those races, but of course numerous low points too,” he explains. “But it’s the fact that there are so many emotions involved which makes this business special. Some times you think things are going perfectly and then it tumbles down around you. Other times it is quite the opposite – you qualify right down the back of the grid and then you come through the field to get a point, as Ralf (Schumacher) did for Jordan at Silverstone in 1998.”

“The high point without a doubt is actually having survived. When I started out I was so determined to avoid short term glory in view of securing a long term future and whilst there were many temptations to give in, we stuck to our philosophy.”

“Having survived, the next step was to establish stability and in the last few years we have moved on to enjoy success. When I think of success I immediately think of our first pole (Spa 1994 with Barrichello) and our first race win (Spa 1998 with Hill) which ironically was at the same circuit. The first victory is undoubtedly a highlight, especially since we created history by winning our first race with a 1-2 finish. In some ways, however, Jordan’s gradual move up into the top echelons of the sport is what gives me most satisfaction. The McLaren-Williams-Ferrari- Benetton domination was sacrosanct and had stood for over a decade until we broke it in 1998 – doing that gave me a fantastic feeling. Then of course things got one better last year when we came third in the Constructors’ Championship!”

“There have been tough races along the way too. Our 100th Grand Prix in Argentina in 1997 was a disaster when Ralf and Giancarlo (Fisichella) knocked each other off the track. Let’s hope our 150th race is memorable for the right reasons! The British Grand Prix is always a great weekend for the team as we have so many supporters who come from the local area and also from Ireland. Since this is Easter weekend we expect more supporters from Ireland to be able to make the trip, so the ‘craic’ as we call it, should be great.





With the Jordan factory literally across the road from the Silverstone circuit, support for the home team is high. Heinz-Harald Frentzen experienced the Jordan atmosphere at the 1999 Silverstone Grand Prix. “There are a lot of Jordan family members who come to the race,” he says, “It’s like a big family with a great atmosphere with everyone cheering for us.”

Frenzten now has own family. His daughter, Lea, was born on Monday 10th April. “I returned home just on time really!” explains Frentzen. “I arrived at around 7 o’clock after the SanMarino Grand Prix and Tanja went into labour at midnight. We drove to the hospital and spent the whole night in the operating room. Lea was born the next day at lunch time. Everyone always asks how the birth of my baby will change my attitude to racing. The way I see it I have to drive even faster as I have two people to look after now – Tanja and Lea! So I need to bring more bread to the table!”

Jordan’s German driver has good expectations for the team’s performance this weekend. “Our main contenders are strong at Silverstone, but equally we have done a lot of testing at the track and our experience of the circuit and particularly of the weather conditions will be a help to us. I enjoy racing at Silverstone - I would say it is one of the most exciting circuits we race on. There are some quick and challenging corners some of which you can take above 160 miles per hour. I would actually enjoy a wet race and I think we will be more competitive if it rains. It would also mean a very exciting race - history has shown that there can be some really fantastic races in the wet at Silverstone.

Trulli agrees. “We look better in wet conditions at the moment,” he says. “It will be tough and undoubtedly the weather will play a big part, but I think we should do well and win some more points. I am really looking forward to the race weekend; the atmosphere at the testing last week was already amazing with so many Jordan supporters, so for the race it should be even better! For probably the first time in my life I will have lots of supporters and hopefully this will make me and Heinz even stronger for the race.”