Monaco GP: Jordan preview

Jordan Ford goes to Monte Carlo with positive results from a four-day test at Paul Ricard with all three drivers giving the team grounds for optimism. Furthermore, the traditional unpredictability of the Monaco Grand Prix is a characteristic which suits the maverick team from Silverstone and offers the hope of a better result.

Six times Jordan has qualified in the top six at Monte Carlo including a front row with Jarno Trulli in 2000 and the team has eight top 10 race results including: fourth position twice with Heinz-Harald Frentzen in 1999 and Andrea de Cesaris in 1994 and Giancarlo Fisichella finishing fifth in 2002 and sixth in 1997.

Nick Heidfeld:

"Monaco is one of my favourite circuits, along with Suzuka. It's a very special race, driving through the city, as it doesn't give you room for mistakes and on top of that it's a very special atmosphere every year. From the team's point of view, we probably have a better chance here than we had in the last couple of races because if you look at history, anything can happen in Monaco. We will try our best and see what happens."

Giorgio Pantano:

"I expect Monaco to be very challenging for me as I have never been there with an F1 car. It will be quite hard to understand quickly how to use it best, finding its limits, where the braking points are and so on. Fortunately I know the circuit as I have been there three times in F3000, so it's a case of applying my existing knowledge to learning Monaco in F1."

"It's demanding because there is absolutely no allowance for mistakes every error will damage your car, for sure. The trick is to concentrate and be careful while at the same time going fast and always on the limit. It's a circuit where it may be possible for us to get a good result as you never know what might happen."

James Robinson, Head of race and test engineering:

"Monaco is going to be a challenge and I would expect the tyre war to be at its hottest in the competition for pole position at Monte Carlo. At present it's difficult to judge exactly how that will transpire. We're all looking forward to Monte Carlo very much and it's good to see they have been working hard on developing the facilities and garages. I think the improved working conditions for the team will make the weekend a little bit easier and more enjoyable than in previous years so we can concentrate totally on having a good race."

MARINE SCIENCE CHARITY IN BAHRAIN MESSAGE WITH PRINCE ALBERT OF MONACO AND CROWN PRINCE SALMAN OF BAHRAIN

At the Monaco Grand Prix, the message from Bahrain on the Jordan Ford EJ14 engine covers will be the emblem of CIESM (Commission Internationale pour L'Exploration Scientifique de la Méditerranée). CIESM, of which Prince Albert is President, is the Mediterranean Marine Science Network launched in 1910 and funded by 23 member states to support the work of some 500 institutes and 2500 researchers committed to promoting marine science for the lasting protection of the Mediterranean Sea and for the well-being of its coastal population.

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