10/08/2005
NEWS STORY
Jordan Grand Prix has announced that Jason Tahincioglu, who currently competes in the Formula Renault British Championship with Team JLR, teammate to Pitpass' Stephen Simpson, will become the first Turkish driver to pilot a Formula One car in front of his home crowd at the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix next week. Jason will perform a demonstration run in a Jordan-Toyota EJ15 on race day, mirroring a feat accomplished by Hungarian driver Zsolt Baumgartner at the Hungaroring in 2002 with Jordan.
Colin Kolles, Managing Director of Jordan Grand Prix: "We are extremely happy to give this fantastic opportunity to Jason, a young, bright and quick driver who has shown his talent in the Formula Renault British Championship. Being the first Turkish driver to ever drive a Formula One car, especially in front of his home crowd on a brand new circuit, will be an experience he will never forget."
Jason Tahincioglu: "First of all, I would like to thank Jordan Grand Prix and my Turkish sponsors for helping me organise a shakedown at Silverstone in order to familiarise myself with the car and the team before the demonstration run in Istanbul on Sunday before the GP. Considering the fact that it was the first time I have driven a Formula One car and the limited amount of running I have done, it was very useful to get used to the car's acceleration and braking. To be honest, my initial thoughts were that the car was quite impressive. I was amazed at how different it was from anything I had ever driven before. Obviously after a few runs, you get used to the speed and the braking. But what you have to do, as a professional, is the best job you possibly can. Perhaps I am the first Turkish driver to experience a Formula One car and all the excitement that comes with it, but I still approach this program as a professional, communicating with the engineers and mechanics. To be running in front of my home crowd will be an amazing scenario. After all, having a Turkish driver driving a Formula One car on his home track is what the Turkish people and fans dream of seeing. It will be a great buzz and I am hoping that I, along with Jordan Grand Prix, will put on a good show and that we will have a fantastic outcome."