Jordan to challenge at San Marino

This season sees thirteen new faces in the core Race Team with nine of these contributing to the twenty six man pit stop crew. The pressures faced in the first three races reaffirms that teamwork is a key factor in the team’s success and the cornerstone of the strong camaraderie among the entire workforce. The four new recruits include two Race Engineers, Frentzen’s Data Engineer and one of the T-car Mechanics. Six personnel have moved to the Race Team from the Test Team, joined by three further staff who were previously factory based.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen on the San Marino Grand Prix
"It’s good to go to San Marino as it’s the start of the European season which is good for the teams and drivers. Italy, the tifosi and the circuit always remind me of my first win in 1997. This track is a roller-coaster ride for the drivers but it has special flair."

Jarno Trulli on the San Marino Grand Prix
"Everyone assumes that Imola is my home race, which is true because I am Italian, but I haven’t actually raced in Italy very much. I feel good about going to Imola. My supporters in Italy are hoping for a good result and I would like to give them that."

Todt: 'We are here to do the treble'
The San Marino Grand Prix marks the start of the European part of the season. It is a significantt event for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro as points out Sporting Director Jean Todt. "Imola is our home race and as usual there will be a grandstand reserved for the families of the Gestione Sportiva staff. I am always happy about this and it gives the team even more support over the Easter weekend. We have won here for the past two years and naturally our aim is to repeat that result."

The interruption to the run of consecutive wins, which came at the hands of David Coulthard in Interlagos has not affected team morale. "We come to Imola in the right frame of mind, given that after three races, we are leading both Championships," added Todt. "The Brazilian Grand Prix was something of a disappointment for us, despite Schumacher finishing second, especially because Barrichello had to retire as early as the third lap after the accident with Ralf Schumacher.

On top of that, we were aware we had what it takes to win, but we did not manage to do so. Nevertheless, our second place at Interlagos is a very important result as far as the rest of the season is concerned. We plan on picking up a good number of points towards the Championship at Imola. We have to consider that the fight for victory is now a three way affair an no longer a duel between two teams."

Mixed emotions for Barrichello
Rubens Barrichello arrived in Imola, relaxed and rested after spending around ten days at home in Brazil. He has put the disappointment of his unfortunate exit from the race at Interlagos is now behind him and forgotten. "I really chilled out on my "fazenda. Sao Paulo is my city and I love spending time there. The only downside is the typically chaotic traffic!" Rubens also spoke about the fact he would soon be a father. "I am really looking forward to being a Dad soon. Silvana and I have been together for four years and I think the time is right.

Imola provokes mixed emotions in Rubens: on the one hand comes the pleasure of driving a very interesting track and the fact the race takes place in front of so many Ferrari fans with all the enthusiasm and warmth they bring to the event. On the other hand there is the memory of the bad events of 1994.

"The San Marino Grand Prix is a tough event especially as it is hard to find the right set-up for this track. The kerbs and the different types of corner make this circuit even harder than it used to be" - said Rubens - "For sure, the safety is better now, but it is less fun to drive. I have already been on the podium here once before and last year I could have done it again, but a problem with the seat belts slowed me down. This year, I have the best car I have ever driven so my approach to this weekend is low profile but with high expectations."

CIRCUIT INFORMATION San Marino GP
Circuit Length: 4.933 km
Race distance: 4.933 km x 62 laps = 305.609 km

After three fly away races, the teams look forward to returning to Europe and Imola for the San Marino Grand Prix. This is a welcome relief as teams are able to use their own trucks and motorhomes, rather than working out of freight cases and make-shift offices. Imola isn’t actually in San Marino, but just over the border in Italy about 25 miles south-east of Bologne. Imola is the only circuit, other than Brazil, to run in an anti-clockwise direction. Opened in 1952, the then fast track underwent revisions following the race in May 1994 when Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger tragically died. The fast corners have been slowed by chicanes, making this circuit heavy on braking with good acceleration power needed out from the many second gear corners. Imola is therefore one of the higher downforce circuits, with the track gradients making it a race for the fittest.


TIMETABLE (local time) Irish time is +1 hour
Saturday 14 April
Free Practice 09.00 – 09.45 10.15- 11.00
Qualifying 13.00 – 14.00
Sunday 15 April
Warm-Up 09.30 – 10.00
Race 14.00


Fascinating Facts
* Ayrton Senna took pole position at Imola in four consecutive races between 1988 and 1991 whilst driving for McLaren.
* Both Senna and Alain Prost dominated the San Marino Grand Prix during their time at McLaren taking wins in 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1991.
* David Coulthard took a fantastic victory in 1998 winning from pole position.
* Imola is not actually in San Marino, but is situated about 20 miles from Bologna in Northern Italy.
* Like Interlagos, the race at Imola is run anti-clockwise.

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