Jordan eye up first points at Monte Carlo.

Jordan sporting director, Trevor Carlin is hopeful that the Silverstone based squad can break their duck in Monaco this Sunday and notch up their first points of the season - and their first since the Midland take over at the start of the year.

Although Monte Carlo is renowned for being difficult to overtake on, it is the unpredictability of the circuit that Carlin hopes will offer team drivers' - Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan, a chance of a top eight finish.

Narain Karthikeyan - Jordan-Toyota EJ15
Narain Karthikeyan - Jordan-Toyota EJ15
© Crash Dot Net Ltd

Jordan sporting director, Trevor Carlin is hopeful that the Silverstone based squad can break their duck in Monaco this Sunday and notch up their first points of the season - and their first since the Midland take over at the start of the year.

Although Monte Carlo is renowned for being difficult to overtake on, it is the unpredictability of the circuit that Carlin hopes will offer team drivers' - Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan, a chance of a top eight finish.

"It will be the first time for our drivers on this demanding circuit in a Formula One car," said Carlin. "However they have performed very well in the past in street circuits in junior formulas.

"Therefore I expect Jordan Grand Prix to do better than on traditional tracks and with fantastic reliability from Toyota, we hope to be around at the finish and maybe get some points."

Monteiro, who knows the Principality from having driven there during his F3000 days in the past, also reckons that points could be a realistic prospect.

"It is very exciting to go to Monaco, one of the biggest names in Formula One," he continued. "It is very special for a racing driver to go there. The preparation for Monaco is very important: not only the car has to be well set-up but also the way you prepare yourself mentally.

"More than in any other places, you need to have everything ready before you go in the car. A single little mistake in the car can have serious consequences; therefore you need to be concentrated at 100 per cent all the time.

"I think this is a race where we can be good and with a bit of luck we could maybe score a point. I want to keep up with my good result in Barcelona.

"Usually I have always loved driving on street circuits. When I was in Champ Car, eight out of 19 races were street tracks and I did get on well. So we will see in Monaco in a Formula One car."

For Karthikeyan meanwhile he faces a steep learning curve as he has never before raced here. This though will not be his first street race and having had good results at Macao, when he driving in F3, he is hopeful he can get up to speed quickly.

"I cannot wait to drive in Monaco as normally I go well on street circuits," he added. "I was fast at Macao when I was racing in F3. Monaco has a great heritage. The race will be hard for the Bridgestone tyres but above all for the gearbox because we change gears so often in Monaco. Qualifying will also be crucial, as there is nearly no room for overtaking; but I am ready for the challenge."

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