Estoril Jordan testing notes

Total Jordan Peugeot were one of five Formula One teams testing in Estoril this week. Rubens Barrichello was joined in Portugal by Italian F3OOO driver Fabrizio De Simone and former Williams test driver, Emanual Collard. The Frenchman, who had ...

Total Jordan Peugeot were one of five Formula One teams testing in Estoril this week. Rubens Barrichello was joined in Portugal by Italian F3OOO driver Fabrizio De Simone and former Williams test driver, Emanual Collard. The Frenchman, who had his first run in the Jordan-Peugeot on Thursday afternoon, has now signed an option with the team to become their official test driver for 1996.

Jordan took two cars with them to Portugal for the test, which began on Tuesday morning. Rubens' race car was used principally for endurance work, whilst chassis and general development work was carried out on the test car Unfortunately though, the four days were not as productive as anticipated. "Friday was trouble-free, but on the other three days we had a few engine problems" explains Team Manager John Walton, "which rather delayed the programme. Consequently Rubens was not able to achieve very much before he had to leave on Thursday lunchtime".

Rubens had to return home to fulfil a long-standing sponsorship obligation, so his place in the test car was taken by Emanuel Collard. Jordan Grand Prix has now taken up an option on the services of the former French F3 champion until mid-January, with the prospect of him becoming test driver for the team in 1996. Collard completed a total of 69 laps over a day and a half of testing.

Meanwhile Fabrizio De Simone carried on with endurance work in Rubens' race car. He completed a total of 99 laps, which included a simulated warm-up and 71 lap race distance on Friday. "Fabrizio did a test with us in Silverstone a few months back which was part of a sponsorship contractual arrangement" says Walton. "He did a really good job and so, in Rubens' absence, we decided to give him another chance in the car;

"As far as this test was concerned, both Fabrizio and Emanuel gave us very good feedback" he continues. "It was interesting to hear some of their comments about the cars' handling, particularly in relation to what Rubens and Eddie have said previously. Whilst it was not the best of tests for the team, they both made a worthwhile contribution to our efforts".

Jordan's testing schedule continues in Jerez, Spain, next week when Martin Brundle will have his first outing in the Peugeot powered Jordan 193

Combined times 11-15th

1.   Damon Hill (Williams Renault)                1:19.95 (Thurs)
2.   Jacques Villeneuve (Williams Renault)        1:20.75 (Thurs)
3    Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)                 1:21.33 (Thurs)
4.   Jean Alesi (Benetton Renault)                1:21.54 (Thurs)
5    Eddie Irvine (Ferrari)                       1:21.68 (Fri)
6.   Rubens Barrichello (Total Jordan Peugeot)    1:21.81 (Thurs)
7.   Jos Verstappen (Arrows Hart)                 1:21.94 (Fri)
8.   Gerhard Berger (Benetton Renault)            1:22.46 (Thurs)
9.   Emanuel Collard (Total Jordan Peugeot)       1:23.59 (Fri) 
10.  Fabrizio De Simone (Total Jordan Peugeot)    1:25.00 (Fri)

-- Stephen M Baines

"[The Autosport sticker] started to peel off in the middle of Eau Rouge and it distracted me. In fact it was the first thing to hit the barrier" Tiff Needell - Jaguar XJR-15 Challenge - Interview with Autosport