09/05/2005
NEWS STORY
Things appear to be more than a little confusing at Jordan.
According to reports, the idea of purchasing the team wasn't down to Russian billionaire Alex Shnaider, but to Colin Kolles, who merely approached the Midland Group boss for sponsorship.
Shnaider however, is believed to have agreed to come in as a partner but with the proviso that Kolles run the team. This of course is contradictory to previous reports, and indeed press releases, which suggest that it was the Russian that recruited the Romanian.
Also causing some confusion is talk of the 2006 car, and indeed a new car due to be introduced in July.
Speaking in Barcelona at the weekend, Tiago Monteiro confirmed that a new car is to be launched in July: "We are using last year's chassis, with some adaptations for this year, which is never the best solution," said the Portuguese driver.
"That's the main problem. Aerodynamic parts are really where we're struggling at the moment. The engine is not really adapted to this car either, so temperature-wise we are losing down-force sometimes because of that. But that's the package we have and we have to improve on that.
We're hoping for a new car in July, so we're really excited about that and that will be at least a 2005 package, which is going to be different for sure."
It's known that Dallara is working on the 2006, though according to some reports progress is slow and not helped by the fact that Jordan's engine deal with Toyota is for one year only.
Since Eddie Jordan sold his team to Shnaider earlier this year, the Silverstone outfit has been shrouded in mystery, with very little information being released. What is known however, is that many of the old 'backroom' staff have moved on.
Therefore one has to ask the question, how new is the new car, and who is behind it?