German GP Jordan race notes

Hockenheim, Germany, 2nd August 1998 Circuit Length 6.81/4.23 Total 307.022 Kms

More points put Jordan in fifth place in the World Championship

The Benson and Hedges Jordan team had its best result of the 1998 season at the German Grand Prix. Both cars finished in the top six; Damon Hill won his first points for Jordan by finishing in 4th place, Ralf Schumacher finished 6th. This result places Benson and Hedges Jordan in fifth place in the World Championship behind Williams.

DAMON HILL CHASSIS 03 Finished 4th "This is more like the races I have been used to - it was what I call a proper motor race, with people to chase and people to try and keep behind me. The team did a fantastic job by keeping me informed as to what was going on during the race and choosing the right strategy. It was great to be able to hold off Michael who at one stage was catching up worryingly fast, but there is nothing like the inspiration of wanting to hold on to fourth place to keep you going. The car was good and we were able to push. Mugen-Honda helped us enormously with the reliability. This is now three races in a row in which the team has scored points and the car is improving all the time, so I expect this trend to continue. I was not able to compete with Jacques, but there were other competitive cars we beat fair and square, so I think we have done ourselves proud."

RALF SCHUMACHER CHASSIS 04 Finished 6th "On reflection I think the pit stop strategy I chose together with my engineers did not work out for us, although I do not think that was the main reason why I did not finish as high up as I had hoped. After the first pit stop the car did not feel the same as it had done all weekend. I was not able to brake as late as I had been and I was losing grip so I was not able to keep the same pace as I had at the beginning. I am not sure what the problem was - we will need to have a look. It was disappointing not to be able to keep the place I had in qualifying, but under the circumstances I believe we did quite well to win a point."

EDDIE JORDAN, TEAM OWNER "Who would have thought three races ago that we would have had three successive races in the points culminating in having two cars finish in the top six. It seemed unthinkable, but thanks to the hard work on the chassis by the designers at Jordan, work by Mugen-Honda on the engine, and by Goodyear on the tyres, we are now up in fifth place in the World Championship. I would like to give special credit to Mugen-Honda, as, in only their first year with us, the progress they have made is remarkable. We have had a lot of pain this season so far, but the rewards are now coming. The drivers did a great job, and I am very impressed by how everyone has turned things around. We need to keep this going and keep winning the points. I love racing at the front!"