Australian GP Friday Jordan notes

F1 pack shuffled in first run.

The first 'Free Practice' session of the 1999 Formula One season saw a new order of teams and drivers below the seemingly still dominant McLaren drivers. Hakkinen finished the 11am - 12pm session at the Albert Park track in Melbourne, Australia, in first place, with team mate David Coulthard behind him. Behind them followed a mixed order of Jordan, Benetton, Prost and Herbert with no sign of 'big players' Ferrari and Williams.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen, in his first outing at a race weekend for his new team, Benson and Hedges Jordan, showed excellent potential, finishing the morning session in third place, hot on the heels of the two McLarens.

Damon Hill, who finished 8th, struggled a little with steering, but was content with the progress made during the morning.

Notably absent from the front running names was Michael Schumacher. He completed only 3 laps, before problems with his car forced him to watch the rest of the session from his garage.

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Good start to season for Benson and Hedges Jordan

Both Benson and Hedges Jordan drivers, Damon Hill and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, made very promising starts to the 1999 Formula One season in today's free practice sessions in Australia. Running at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit, Frentzen finished the day in fourth place, Hill in sixth.

"I am very pleased with the performance of both drivers and cars today," said team boss Eddie Jordan. Friday's results do not necessarily mean very much, but I would rather see Jordan where we are than at the back of the field. I hate to make predictions for tomorrow, but our chances look quite good."

"Today was certainly an encouraging start to the beginning of the season,2 said Damon. "The car ran very well, and we simply worked on making it as balanced as possible. I would say we are optimistic for tomorrow."

"It is great to be back on the race track again and I enjoy the Albert Park circuit very much," said Heinz-Harald Frentzen. "Today was a good start for us - it was a very productive day. The car balance was the main issue and I am pleased with the improved set up we found by the end of the day. There is still a little understeer on some parts of the track which we will try to get rid of tomorrow."