Jordan ready for 'crack at title'

(14-Oct-98) - Jordan has set itself the target of the Formula 1 World
Championship next year.

Team boss Eddie Jordan thinks that his squad can build on its dramatic
upturn in form in the second half of this season and compete on equal terms
with McLaren in 1999.

"I have a feeling that we will have a crack at the championship next
year." said the Irishman. "Judging by what I know is coming out
of Mugen Honda and the new structure inside Jordan, then third place in the
championship should be our minimum target next year. I can't believe we
won't have as good a chance as Williams, Benetton, or McLaren for that
matter, and who's to say we can't win."

Jordan won it's first Grand Prix this year after eight-years in F1. Despite
failing to score a point in the first eight races of the season, it is now
locked in a battle for third place in the Constructors' Championship with
Williams and Benetton. There are many factors to which the resurgence can
be accredited.

Technical director Gary Anderson left the team mid-season and was replaced
by former Tyrrell man Mike Gascoyne. Almost immediately things started to
improve, but how directly that related to the new member of staff is
unclear.

"A lot of it has been Honda, which has reputedly found 50bhp this
season," said a Jordan rival, "that's worth around 1.5s a lap on
a circuit like Suzuka."

Another designer put more down to the skills of Gascoyne. "Next year
will be interesting." He said, "Gary Anderson was a racer. He
understood a lot about vehicle dynamics and how to make a car work, but
perhaps was not an expert aerodynamicist. With Mike Gascoyne there, that
will turn around a bit. The aerodynamics will be better, but it depends on
whether the team will keep hold of the rest of it."

However confident Eddie Jordan is, Damon Hill thinks his boss may be aiming
too high too soon.

"That's a brave prediction," said the ex-world champion,
"but you must always set your sights high. It's reasonable for us to
aspire to finishing in the top three and occasionally winning races next
year. That's our hope."

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