14/06/2005
NEWS STORY
After Montreal's race, the Jordan Grand Prix team went straight to Indianapolis, the 'home of American motor racing' on Monday, to prepare for the United States Grand Prix. The team will have only two days to rebuild the cars in time for Friday's first practise. Tiago Monteiro will spend one day in Indianapolis revisiting his former Champ Car team, saying hello to former mechanics and engineers. He and team-mate Narain Karthikeyan will train for two days, preparing themselves for a demanding race. It is the second time the race will be there at this time of year rather than in September and high temperatures and changeable weather conditions are expected. The team is hoping to get a good result in America and is confident of continuing its campaign of steady improvement this season.
Narain Karthikeyan: "Even though I have never driven there, I am looking forward to Indianapolis, as there is a legendary racing history behind it. To be racing at the "Brickyard" will be a great experience for me. We will be driving on a part of the oval, where the cars will reach a top speed of 350, 345 km/h. The first corner will be tricky and the infield section can be difficult as well. It will be good and I am really impatient to race there."
Tiago Monteiro: "Indianapolis is a very special place for the motorsport industry. I have some friends there and also my former Champ Car team and engineers are based there. It will be very nice to see them again for a few days. I will be training as well. From what I have seen on TV, the track looks quite demanding and interesting. The oval will also be very exciting and there will be a lot fans. I am sure it will be a great show."
Robert Doornbos: "I am really looking forward to being back in the car in Indianapolis after two race weekends without driving. I am going to prepare myself in a ranch with my sponsors for two or three days in Minneapolis where I will learn how to fly an old aeroplane. I will also focus on the weekend. I cannot wait to drive in this amazing circuit. I watched the Indy 500 two weeks ago. It will be a great experience to drive on the oval as it will be flat out and I also hope we can get a good result for the team."
Paul Monaghan Chief Race Engineer: "Indianapolis will be a challenge for our three drivers, as they have never driven there. Therefore they will have to spend extra time learning the layout. There is an interesting combination of long straights and slower corners. After the good Bridgestone results in Canada, we are hoping to maintain the improvement, which will bring us, closer to our nearest competitors. We will be trying to have another trouble-free race."