Australian GP preview - Jordan Grand Prix.

After a disastrous 2003 season, albeit one punctuated by Giancarlo Fisichella's fortuitous maiden win in Brazil, many predicted that the 2004 would line up without the familiar - and highly popular - Jordans on the grid. Fortunately, that hasn't proved to be the case.

Ever a fighter, team boss Eddie Jordan is back for more in 2004 - and the ebullient Irishman is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past twelve months.

"2004 is going to be Jordan's fight-back," Jordan insisted, "This is a resilient and tenacious team.

"We came into the sport in 1991 and, against all odds, finished fifth in the championship. Remember, we started modestly in both 1998 and 1999 - when we achieved our historic 1-2 and two other wins and were able to be third in the Championship. Last year, we overturned everybody's expectations and won a race, so my point is that you never know what the season is going to hold.

"What I do know, however, is that we've worked so hard this winter, we are focused, we have an exciting youthful driver line-up and we are determined to climb up the grid bit-by-bit, until we are one day in a position to win races again. I would like to thank my staff for their hard work and commitment and I hope so much that our efforts are rewarded on the track."

Jordan has spent that past couple of months locked in talks with potential drivers but, having secured ex-Sauber man Nick Heidfeld, even he could not have imagined the protracted wrangling that led to his first choice team-mate being replaced by another option at the last moment.

Heidfeld spearheads the 2004 driving strength, looking to build on four years of F1 experience but use his youthful 26 years to bring the team back as a competitive proposition. His testing work over the winter impressed engineers, and Jordan awaits his race debut with the team with great anticipation.

"I feel really at home with the Jordan Ford team and I'm happy to be racing with them this year," Heidfeld said, "Our early tests with the EJ14 have been promising, as it's been quite a reliable car, and I think, with any luck, we will just keep improving and improving it all year.

"It's going to be a challenge for sure and we won't make huge steps all at once. But we have a good base and little by little I'm confident we will move forward, score points and keep the competition behind us. I am fully motivated and determined to prove myself."

The German will be partnered by highly-rated Italian Giorgio Pantano, who proved to be a rising star in F3000, where he took regular race wins. The 25-year old was the last driver to join the 2004 grid, and has had limited opportunities to test over the winter, following the ongoing negotiations with Jos Verstappen. However, he ha appeared conscientious and eager to attack the task in hand.

"I am so happy to be just days away from my first grand prix," the former karting champion admitted, "It's going to be quite exciting for me and I can't wait to get out on the track - that's when it will all seem real. Racing in grands prix is my dream and, while I don't expect it to be easy, I will do my absolute best. I hope to finish every race and if there's the opportunity to score a point or two, I will go for it.

"I have had a limited opportunity to test because I joined the team quite late, but I have enjoyed working with the team so far and I will be giving my all as I really want to guarantee them good results. Jordan is a good environment for me, I can learn from them and from my new team-mate. This team is one of the few that has won races and they want to fight back to that higher level. With the new car, we can work together to find how to get there."

Another German, 21-year old Timo Glock, will complete the line-up as the team's first 'official' third driver in three years. The F3 Euroseries standout will drive the team's third car in Friday free practice sessions.

Jordan has revised the structure of its technical departments ahead of the 2004 season, with chief operating officer Richard O'Driscoll overseeing a technical management group which comprises chief designer John McQuilliam, aero chief Nicolo Petrucci, head of engineering James Robinson, operations manager David Williams and electronics chief Mike Wroe.

The group will take responsibility for the design, production and racing of the Jordan Ford EJ14, which McQuilliam has already described as 'a lighter and more reliable car with improved suspension characteristics and weight distribution without compromising the aerodynamic optimisation achieved'.

At grands prix, engineering will be overseen by James Robinson, who joined the team in December 2003, while Gerry Hughes is now Heidfeld's race engineer, assisted by Simon Cayzer. Pantano's car will be engineered by Dominic Harlow, with assistance from Peter Bonnington. Oliver Knighton joined the team in February to engineer
the third car on race weekend Fridays.

The team has put the EJ14 through its paces with 17 days of testing since the car's first outing on 2 February, and test sessions at Jerez, Imola and Silverstone have yielded over 4000km with all three drivers contributing to the test programme.

"Given such a late start, the three EJ14 chassis were produced on time, a task which demanded hard work and long hours from everyone involved and that's a credit to the team's commitment," Robinson commented, "In our few weeks of testing, we got through much of our planned test programme, and I'm pleased to say that the EJ14 has shown positive improvements over last year's car. We have worked successfully with Bridgestone and Cosworth on the package and we have a good basis to start the season's work at the first race in Australia."