Jordan rocks at GP Party

Eddie Jordan presented Giancarlo Fisichella with the F1 Driver's Driver of 2002 Award at last night's Grand Prix Party held in Birmingham. The award is made to the F1 driver who, in a vote held among all the Formula One drivers from last season, is ...

Eddie Jordan presented Giancarlo Fisichella with the F1 Driver's Driver of 2002 Award at last night's Grand Prix Party held in Birmingham. The award is made to the F1 driver who, in a vote held among all the Formula One drivers from last season, is the ultimate 'driver's driver'. Fisi beat off competition from multiple World Champion Michael Schumacher who netted the Best Driver award, and was delighted.

"I am very happy to have won this award and excited about the new season," commented Fisichella. "The new car looks good and I am sure we can be competitive this year. I want to win my first race and to be really competitive for the future."

Giancarlo Fisichella and Eddie Jordan.

Photo by Jordan Grand Prix.

Eddie Jordan was unaware that he would be asked to present his driver with the award, but was very pleased for Fisi. "He's a great guy and certainly one of the very top drivers in F1 - I think this award shows that even his rivals think so too! I am very happy for him."

The annual Grand Prix Party saw the usual eclectic mixture of F1 stars and rock and roll artists, some of the older faces such as veteran commentator Murray Walker, ex-drivers Martin Brundle and Derek Walker, being joined by newcomers including Christiano da Matta and Antonio Pizzonia. Rookie of the Year went to Mark Webber, the Special Safety Award went to the HANS Device, Albert Park won the Best Circuit, Ferrari the Best Car and Charlie Whiting, F1's Race Director, won a special award for his Outstanding Contribution to F1 in 2002.

The rock stars included Cheeky Girls and Mis-Teeq, while Eddie Jordan's band - V10 - also rocked the night away, joined on stage by ChampCar ace Bryan Herta who had flown in from the USA for the event. "It was great to have a night of rock and roll with so many friends and people from F1," said EJ afterwards. "The band was on top form and we really enjoyed ourselves."

EJ and Fisi's attention has now turned to Silverstone where the team is completing the first Jordan Ford EJ13 in readiness for its first tests.