My 2004 season preview for Jordan. (jordangp.com)

This team is one that is always hard to figure out going into a season. Last year they pretty much stunk after not having a bad 2002. So the question for Eddie Jordan and his crew is ‘Which team will show up?”

Jordan enters 2004 with a new car and one new driver. The car is the EJ14. Once again this year the Jordan will carry Cosworth power and Bridgestone Tyres. However, so far in testing the team has had little success climbing up the speed charts. In fact, in last weeks and today’s tests at Jerez the team was consistently last in speed.

On the other hand a team like Jordan is not capable of the reiteration of testing that a Ferrari does because of money and owning their own test facilities. So the season and especially the next two weeks will be crucial for the Silverstone based team. Especially if they wish to avoid a season like last.

Nick Heidfeld will once again be the lead driver for Jordan. He is joined by Italian Giorgio Pantano. From all reports, negotiations between the team and former driver Jos Verstappen went south when Verstappen’s agent made “outrageous” demands and forced the team to look elsewhere. Verstappen for his part has said he is too good of a driver to drive the Minardi. So with that bridge burnt and now the Jordan ride gone, Jos will sit this year.

Jordan once again will sport the colors of Benson and Hedges, but as usual will find have to come up with some sort of catchy phrase to replace the words on the logos due to tobacco advertising rules around the world. Team owner Eddie Jordan has also predicted a land rush on the middle east for F1 teams. Not sure where that is coming from but it has been disputed in all corners. Keep an eye on that as Jordan has said he has no interest in selling his team, but with F1 making it’s middle east debut in Bahrain this season, he may find a wealthy suitor for this outfit.

So for 2004 I really see this team making any substantial moves up the ladder. Toyota should be improved so they will make getting over just one spot difficult. Eddie Jordan will continue to make absurd comments and generally be the most entertaining owner in the garage, but that may about all they have this year.