Jordan planning on staying around

The ever optimistic Eddie Jordan knows his team is facing a huge task this year to reinstate itself to the top six teams on the grid, but that's the aim for 2004. Despite Giancarlo Fisichella's maiden victory in Brazil, last season was a struggle ...

The ever optimistic Eddie Jordan knows his team is facing a huge task this year to reinstate itself to the top six teams on the grid, but that's the aim for 2004. Despite Giancarlo Fisichella's maiden victory in Brazil, last season was a struggle for Jordan and the team was beaten down to ninth in the standings. But EJ's battle cry for 2004 is "Fightback".

Eddie Jordan.

Photo by Dave Dyer.

"When I'm doing my staff talks and the commitment in trying to create a new passion that Jordan always had, I talk extensively about the Fightback," Jordan said in a recent teleconference with Australian media. "I'm an optimist by nature, and on that basis I feel that we can get ourselves back through this Fightback into the top six."

"That's going to be a huge task but I'm really confident about the little car. It seems to be very quick and it's nice and nimble, we've got good partners - both with Ford with this new engine and hopefully with Bridgestone and a couple of young drivers."

Critics say Jordan is too frivolous for Formula One but behind the fun-loving exterior the team boss is no slouch in the determination department. Jordan Grand Prix is now entering its 14th year in F1, by no means an easy achievement, especially for a privateer.

"Sometimes we get criticised by some of my, if you like, more successful team owners in Formula One -- I won't mention any names -- but they often say to me, 'Eddie, you're just not serious enough'," Jordan commented.

"Well, the problem is they don't know me because, yes, I like rock 'n' roll, yes I do like a bit of fun, but I tell you, you can't imagine what a steely, determined person I am behind that skin. I need those things to set me free from complete insanity, and if I don't have that little bit of energy or madness or rock 'n' roll, I think I would be a very different person."

Jordan recently announced new sponsors, plus continuance with long-term partner Benson and Hedges, and during the teleconference he mentioned, without details, a "unique" deal with Bahrain due to be revealed just prior to the Australian Grand prix.

"I will announce in Australia a very, very unique, and I think unbelievably exciting, new deal with Bahrain," he revealed. "I've spoken to Ron Walker (Australian GP Corporation chairman) and he is also excited about what we are going to do with this Bahrain promotion, which will be disclosed on Thursday (March 4) at 4.30 in Melbourne, so that's an exciting thing."

Jordan is determined to survive in F1 and believes he will still be in the sport after some well known names have departed. "I see this business as being cyclical, like most other things in life," he said. "I see Michael Schumacher retiring. I see, in my big crystal ball, people like Ron Dennis (McLaren team principal) retiring and other people like that, and I'm going to stick it out until I win this championship. So, I'm sorry guys, maybe I'll have to be around for a while."