Australian GP Jordan race report

The Benson and Hedges Jordan Mugen-Honda team had an excellent start to the 1999 F1 when Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished second, winning six points for himself and his new team. Damon Hill had a very unfortunate 100th Grand Prix, failing to complete ...

The Benson and Hedges Jordan Mugen-Honda team had an excellent start to the 1999 F1 when Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished second, winning six points for himself and his new team. Damon Hill had a very unfortunate 100th Grand Prix, failing to complete a single lap when he was pushed off at the second corner.

Seven of the top eight drivers in today's race once drove for Jordan Grand Prix, which gave Eddie Jordan another reason to smile!

Heinz-Harald Frentzen Finished 2nd

"I am very happy for myself and everyone at my new Jordan team and at Mugen-Honda. Second place is a great result. The car has run well all weekend and I said yesterday that I was very confident that the car was reliable as I knew the team at Jordan had done a good job. I thought we would finish in the points, so to finish second is really an excellent way to start the season."

"I must say that Eddie drove a fantastic race. He was really going fast and I tried to keep up with him but it was difficult to beat him today. I though he was going to make a second stop as I knew he was on soft tyres, but he just kept going! So my tactic was simply to have my own race. My start was not so good but I decided not to push too hard as I had memories of the race here in 97 and when it was pretty tight into the first corner."

Damon Hill Did not finish - accident

"I am very disappointed with today's race. I made a brilliant start but was barged out of the way by someone who outbraked himself. All I could see was that as I was turning in for the second corner someone stuck his nose in - there was no way he was going to get through and there was no way we were both going to get round. It is very frustrating because at the start I got past Ralf (Schumacher) and (Giancarlo) Fisichella and going into turn one I was right on Heinz- Harald's gear box. Today was obviously not my day - let's hope my 101st Grand Prix goes better!"

Eddie Jordan

"Today was great - our best ever start to the World Championship. It is very satisfying to be second here in the race and in the constructors championship; it is a great way to start the season. Heinz-Harald did a remarkable job. He seems to enjoy the workings of our team and I believe we have a real champion here. This boy was with me before in F3000 and he has a great talent. I tried to get him on board in F1 before, and he is finally here. He was strong all day. I have seen a transformation in him in the last couple of months, and I am sure today will give him a tremendous personal boost."

"All of the top six drivers today have driven for Jordan, which is quite a statistic. Of course Eddie was one of out drivers and we have wanted him to win for some time; it's just a pity he had to beat us into second!"