French GP preview - Jordan Ford.

Jordan Ford approaches the French Grand Prix aiming for a return to the promising performances of Monaco, Nurburgring and Canada, after the relatively disappointing outcome at Indianapolis last weekend.

Team personnel and cars have returned back to base at Silverstone, while the drivers have had the chance to go home to relax and continue training programmes after the two-week stay in America. Timo Glock also spent two days evaluating aerodynamic developments with the test team at Vairano on 23-24 June.

With the F1 track action moving to Europe and locations closer to home, development, turnaround and transportation of equipment and parts is comparatively straightforward, and Jordan is hoping for robust results at the French Grand Prix, as well as the British round of the championship - across the road at Silverstone - the following weekend.

"We are looking forward to racing in Europe again, as it makes logistics a little bit easier than long-haul locations," confirmed James Robinson, the team's head of race and test engineering, "Magny-Cours is certainly different from the two cities we have just been to. It's in a fantastic area of France, renowned for its excellent wine, and has a different track characteristic from the races in Canada and North America. It has some quicker corners and I'm sure our drivers are eagerly awaiting the challenge they present.

"We have had a useful test at Vairano, working to extract the maximum from our current aerodynamic package and collect data in preparation for the French Grand Prix. The asphalt type at Magny-Cours is quite unusual and a surface we don't see at other tracks, so we have been working hard with Bridgestone to develop a tyre that will
work there. There is also the tendency for inclement weather in this region of France, with the odd isolated shower - so let's hope they arrive on Sunday."

Having scored a double haul of points in Canada, the USGP provided a zero score, with the returning Giorgio Pantano taken out at turn one and Nick Heidfeld succumbing to an engine problem. While Robinson is hopeful that a cure has been found for the latter, he is also keen to see the latest version of Ford's V10 installed in the EJ14s.

"The problem that occurred with Nick's engine at Indianapolis has been understood, and measures have been taken to address it," he said, "We are confident it won't happen again. We are also hopeful of getting a new engine specification from Cosworth in the forthcoming races."

The return to Europe is also being welcomed by the least experienced of Jordan's two race drivers, with the luckless Pantano hoping that familiarity will provide him with a chance to open his F1 account.

"I'm glad to be returning to Europe and tracks that I know," the Italian admitted, "I won the F3000 race at Magny-Cours last year and, the year before that, I came second. It's one of the circuits that suits my driving style - I always find a good balance and rhythm and really enjoy driving here. Finding the limits of this quite technical, fast-corner circuit seemed to come quite easily, so I hope it will be the same experience in F1.

"After a few races with car problems and then missing Canada, I feel I've got some catching up to do and I'm eager for a good result. It would be great to score my first points this weekend."

Team-mate Nick Heidfeld is also a fan of the Nevers venue.

"I like the Magny-Cours circuit quite a lot - probably more than many drivers who say it's a modern and boring processional track," he revealed, "I really enjoy it, especially the two quick chicanes, and I'm hoping for a better result this weekend than in the last race. It was disappointing for me not to finish because there was a good chance to score points."

While points are the best that the team can hope to achieve this season, team boss Eddie Jordan remembers a time when Magny-Cours provided one of the more unexpected results his squad achieved.

"I can't go to Magny-Cours without remembering the fantastic feeling of winning there with Heinz-Harald Frentzen in 1999," the ebullient Irishman admitted, "We got that victory through a combination of team-work, strategy, a good driver and a car that did the job - and we still have it in us to bring all those things to the party. While I might be dreaming to talk about a win at this time, it would be great to see the hard work of the guys at the factory being rewarded with a few more points."