First Toyota-powered Jordan to Test Monday
Jordan plan to run their 2005 Toyota-powered car for the first time at Silverstone next Monday, team sources said on Wednesday. The British-based team, taken over by Russian-born Canadian businessman Alex Shnaider’s Midland Group last week, have yet to confirm their drivers for the season starting in Australia on March 6.Indian Narain Karthikeyan has already announced, however, that he will be one of them, becoming his country’s first Formula One racer.
The other could be Portugal’s Tiago Monteiro, who raced for Midland sporting director Trevor Carlin’s team in the World Seriesby Nissan and tested for Minardi last year.
George Katinger of Fast Machines is of the opinion that with the loss of Jordans technical director and rumors of other departures of key personnel the team may supplant Minardi at the end of F1’s “not classified” list. It’s a hard argument to dismiss.
For competition’s sake you have to hope new team owner Alex Shnaider’s Russian roots don’t lead him down the path of his fellow Russian “auto makers.” Shnaider’s comrades in Tolyatti, Russia have produced this brick for decades and although reliable, it has all the speed of a three-legged mule.
Thanks for the plug Marc, the signing of two rooky F1 drivers to the team is not a promising sign. Especially when Minardi are coming out with their first new aero package since 2002 at Imola. Of course their driver picks will probably be on the same experience/talent level (C. Albers, TBD), so it comes down to engines and team organization. I’m hoping Stoddart will rise up from the dust and kick Midland team butt. The way Red Bull is running (ruining?) things, look for a three way struggle to stay out of the cellar.