Monaco GP: Jordan Thursday notes

DHL Jordan Honda had a productive Free Practice day, despite Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato both losing track time due to minor problems with electronics and suspension respectively. In the morning Fisichella's engine anti-stall system disengaged the clutch after he slowed to avoid an accident ahead of him, he could not select first gear and he was not permitted to continue running after the marshals pushed him into the pits. Sato had a suspension problem at the end of the afternoon, which the team was not able to correct before the end of the session. However, the drivers and the team are relatively happy with the set-up balance achieved.

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA

"It was not a bad day, even though we lost the first session. We did quite a good job and it looks like the car is getting better. We have a lot of graining with the tyres in the last part of the lap, but I think it will be less of a problem on Saturday. We will also improve the set-up, so I am confident that we can be in the top ten."

TAKUMA SATO

It's a shame we had a suspension problem at the end, thanks to this circuit's kerbs, and unfortunately I lost the last 15 minutes of running. Generally, it was a good day as I learned the circuit and found good balance with the EJ12. The track conditions were quite difficult but on Saturday and Sunday it will probably be different so I think we are okay."

GARY ANDERSON DIRECTOR OF RACE AND TEST TEAM

"It was reasonable today, the car seems quite good. Giancarlo did a very good job and we've had no damage - that doesn't always happen in Monaco - so we are pretty pleased. Takuma learnt the track and did a very competent job. Unfortunately he didn't get a run at the end because a link in the suspension inside the front of the monocoque had a problem. We tried to change it but just couldn't get it done in time. It's good it happened today rather than Sunday, and there's plenty of time to fix it."

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA 4th 1:19.680
CHASSIS NUMBER 5
TAKUMA SATO 16th 1:21.868
CHASSIS NUMBER 4
The T car is set up for Takuma Sato for tomorrow's qualifying.

-jordan-