Bahrain GP: Jordan race notes

Comments from the Jordan team after the Bahrain Grand Prix

Nick Heidfeld 15th

"I was on a two stop strategy and my first stop was late so at one stage I was up to P6 or P5. I'm happy to finish the race, that's the best thing about the weekend for me. It was not a perfect race, though with the biggest problem being not getting on top of the car balance. It was the first time we used the new Bridgestone tyres and they are definitely better but we need to work more to understand them."

"There were some other minor things like a small brake problem and being held up for two laps by a blue-flagged Minardi. I don't know if he was penalised but he should have been. We have a test in Silverstone before the San Marino Grand Prix in three weeks time where we will do a lot of tyre testing and hopefully get some new things on the car."

Giorgio Pantano 16th

"I did my best today. We had a small problem with the braking and differential on the last 10 laps and during the second stint I had more understeer on the car. It's good that I have finished my first three races and I think I have started making improvements on qualifying so now I also have to improve race performance. I want to be a little bit closer to Nick with my lap times. I have more time in the car before Imola with a Silverstone test and I'm feeling more confident so I'm looking forward to the next race."

James Robinson, Head of race and test engineering:

"It was a great race for Bridgestone and an excellent effort by them in winning today, given all the problems and unknowns of a new track. We switched Nick's strategy to a two stop as the tyres were holding up and we had to start at the back due to the engine change. Both drivers drove a solid race, but with other people's reliability as it is, we could only pick up 15th and 16th positions. Towards the end Giorgio had a small hydraulic leak but managed to get to the finish."

"There were some good pit stops from the boys and other than our one engine- related problem, we have had a reliable weekend. It's positive to get two cars home at a new race in what were unknown conditions, early in the season. Before we arrived we said a two car finish was our aim and we have achieved that so now we will use this as a building block to move forward."

Eddie Jordan, Chief executive:

"It's great to have established Formula One in a new region of the world and I have to say the atmosphere and hospitality of the people here has made the first Bahrain Grand Prix quite sensational. It has been a major success and a huge boost to the Middle East region. It's positive for Jordan to have both our cars finish here."

-jordan-