Formula 1

Jordan follows its yellow dreams

The Jordan Grand Prix team unveiled their 2000 challenger this morning at the Theatre Royal in London. Eddie Jordan during the launch spoke of his wish for "the manufacturers to keep the idenitity of teams sacrosanct" for when they had ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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The Jordan Grand Prix team unveiled their 2000 challenger this morning at the Theatre Royal in London.

Eddie Jordan during the launch spoke of his wish for "the manufacturers to keep the idenitity of teams sacrosanct" for when they had finished with the sport. Clearly Eddie is worried about what will happen to the sport when the manufacturers marketing ends are met. Eddie also spoke of how Heinz-Harald is "an absolute joy to work with" and went on to tell how he wasn't about to give a "Jackie Stewart surprise: Sorry! You've got me again this year...". Eddie is also very confident on how Jarno will be in the team. "I think he will be the surprise package of the year."

Eddie went on to say how he hoped the team would progress this year "who says we should break the sequence? 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd... Except I don't like 2nd". Further he spoke of how the team itself has developed. "We are able to invest in technology. We've won 3 Grand Prix, and we haven't finished yet. The entire race team, the entire test team - there is no change in personnel. Not one person."

Eddie went on to explain how the deal with Deutsche Post, which is far larger on the car than had been expected, had been done. He was on his way to the airport "when the phone rang. He wanted to meet to discuss a deal. I agreed to meet him for 15 minutes, expecting a discussion and cordial chat. I had a plane to catch at 7:30. At 12:30 I was still there... He came to the factory, I gave him a yellow tie, he gave me a yellow bike (but that's another story). We are trying to follow our yellow dreams. 5 days and 20 hours from the first meeting to signed contract. It is a joy to work with them".

Eddie also spoke of how the team is seen as the fun team of the pit lane, but he says there is more to the team than that. "When you take off the mask, there is steely determination".

Mike Gascoyne told of how the car was "an evolution, but I wouldn't say it's a small step. We think we've taken a large step over the old car. The car unveiled today will be changed within 2 weeks... we are closing on the big two teams - not enough - but we are closing on them." Mike also joked about the stick he had from EJ and B&H over the amount of space available on the car, but he shrugged it off "It's my job to make the car fast".

Jarno said that "I have a good feeling with them [the team]" and how they have a dream "just to reach one goal, one aim that we all want. The most important thing for me is that this year I will have a competitive car" before realising what he said "that doesn't mean I didn't have on at Prost, but...".

Heinz-Harald Frentzen, meanwhile, said that he hoped the team has a good start to the season. "We want to start where we finished. We've learnt confidence. We've got a better car and a better team."

Heinz was then asked if he had any personal goals for this season - deadpan he said "Yes, but I'm not telling". When asked about the car, again totally straight faced he said "Yes [I have thoughts], but I'm not telling". He then gave the biggest grin before saying "It looks very good. The handling shows that nothing is wrong with it.. Yet".

-- Stephen M Baines http://www.motorsport.org.uk

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