Jordan Monza test notes 2003-09-04

Giancarlo Fisichella and Björn Wirdheim completed Jordan Ford's two day test session in Monza in warm and dry conditions today. Fisichella made progress with Bridgestone's tyre test programme and some set-up work for the Italian Grand Prix, completing 41 laps although a gearbox casing failure in the afternoon cost him some time.

Wirdheim's programme consisted of familiarisation along with brake and damper development. Despite losing some track time to a fuel system problem and electronics glitch, he finished 46 laps and carried out most of the scheduled work.

Gary Anderson, Director of Race and Test Engineering:

"It was a fairly difficult day with a few problems of our own. We had to take the engine off to carry out a fuel system repair on Björn's car and fairly early on in the pit lane there was an electronics glitch on his car which meant the throttle stuck fully open, so we had a lot of down time on both cars while we diagnosed and corrected the problem. He did a good job in difficult circumstances he was cool and calm and got on with work. He probably would have found more lap time with another 20 laps."

"Giancarlo had a gearbox casing failure early-afternoon and we spent a lot of time changing the gearbox. It was a "stop-start" day which is a bit frustrating but it happens in testing. Both drivers did a reasonable job and all our tyre and damper work is complete; Björn had the opportunity to learn about the car and Giancarlo had some time to work on race set-up."

Björn Wirdheim:

"It was a bit difficult because we ran into some problems and unfortunately I didn't get as much as running as I was hoping. The team did good job though and were able to get me out at the end of day for a few more laps. It was good experience for me to drive the car, but I was still learning at the end of the afternoon so I would have liked a few more laps."

Björn Wirdheim
Chassis: EJ13/04
Best time: 1:23.633, 46 laps

Giancarlo Fisichella
Chassis: EJ13/05
Best time: 1:23.045, 42 laps

-jordan-