Formula 1
Hungarian GP: Jordan preview
The extra week between the German and Hungarian Grands Prix and the August testing ban has allowed DHL Jordan Honda team members to relax for a few days before returning to busy preparations for the thirteenth round of the FIA Formula One World ...
Published: Aug 13, 2002, 11:01 AM
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The extra week between the German and Hungarian Grands Prix and the August testing ban has allowed DHL Jordan Honda team members to relax for a few days before returning to busy preparations for the thirteenth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship of 2002. While the race and test team staff and the drivers took an enforced break from the track, the factory has been full of activity with preparations for the remaining five races of the season.
Budapest's Hungaroring offers a unique challenge and is often described as having the characteristics of a street circuit due to the twisty nature of the track, with few overtaking opportunities. Gary Anderson, Director of Race and Test Engineering, says, "The Hungaroring is usually hot, slippery, dirty, dusty and quite a tricky circuit. It is one of the slower tracks and it requires a lot of downforce. The circuit is hard on the tyres because of the high temperatures and because there are so many corners in a lap compared to most other tracks. There are a lot of long corners, where it's difficult to get a good balance. Generally this circuit is difficult for everyone. The potential for overtaking is minimal, with so many corners on top of each other and straights that are not long enough to get speed up and overtake there."
There have been minor modifications for the EJ12 since the last race, Anderson explains. "This season we have had some glitches with race starts, and we have ironed those out now. We are always working to try and optimise launch control. The EJ12 has some small developments specific to the very individual track at Hungaroring. We will do a shakedown before we arrive in Hungary to check everything is OK, but the testing ban means developments have been limited to the wind tunnel, where we have been working on a few things for the EJ12 and preparations for next year's car."
Zsolt Baumgartner, the Hungarian F3000 driver currently with Nordic Racing, will have a unique opportunity to impress his home crowds at the Hungarian Grand Prix, when he will drive the Jordan Honda EJ12 for a demonstration run on race morning. There have been no Hungarian drivers in the FIA Formula One World Championship since it was created in 1950, however the first ever motor race to be called a Grand Prix, held at Le Mans, was won by a Hungarian called Ferencz Szisc in 1906.
Eddie Jordan, Chief Executive
"We are showing potential at the moment, particularly with the latest development from Honda on the engine, and this weekend we need to turn that promise into results. I believe we have been unfortunate not to score points in recent races so if we can produce a solid performance, I am confident we can take something away from this race."
Giancarlo Fisichella
"Hungaroring is a very unusual and twisty circuit. Normally we find that temperatures are very high, particularly with the race being in the middle of August. Traction and the torque of the engine are extremely important here, but the major aspect for drivers is the demands this circuit places on our physical fitness."
Takuma Sato
"I visited the circuit in a hire car a few weeks ago and even though it was damp, it was interesting. It's a bit like a go-kart track, good fun to drive but not the most difficult F1 track. I also got to see a little of the Old Town which was very beautiful. I hope that we can carry on performing well and improve on my 8th place finish at the German Grand Prix. I know how hard it is to score points but I think it's not impossible. I can't wait to grab them!"
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