Jordan looks to the future with Firman signature

IN the past, we had come to expect fireworks and flashing lights when Eddie Jordan unveiled a new driver.

There was none of that in the Dorchester Hotel yesterday, just a low-key press conference with the eternally optimistic Jordan waxing lyrical about Ralph Firman's and his team's prospects.

After weeks of uncertainty, rumour and counter-rumour, the reigning Formula Nippon champion usurped the likes of Eddie Irvine to take the second Jordan seat.

And while some of the more skeptical voices wondered if Firman was signed because he was bringing a substantial amount of money to the team, Jordan dismissed the suggestion.

"We are paying Ralph and there was no condition on him bringing any money," Jordan said. "It's a clear employer and employee relationship. He has helped us commercially, no doubt, but that was never a condition on him driving the car."

Instead, Jordan who was in defiantly optimistic mood as he looked to the forthcoming season, asked people to look at Firman's record.

Despite struggling for a few seasons in Japan before taking the Nippon title last year, Firman is a past Formula 3000 champion, beating such luminaries as Juan Pablo Montoya, to take that title.

"You just have to look at the history books. Just look at who he beat in Formula 3. They are all big names in F1 now, so why can't he beat them again? I don't see why he can't be rookie of the year and the biggest surprise of 2003.

"There is nobody in F1 with a better junior career than Ralph he's been a champion in every category he's entered. We first looked at him five years ago when he won the Formula 3 championship and Macau, but it didn't work out for various reasons.

"Then he went off to make his money in Japan and won the championship out there, and we all know how difficult it is to do that," he said.

Jordan says Firman will also bring experience, which was one of the principal reasons he got the nod ahead of the likes of Masa.

"Mentally, he is a very cool guy. He has handled the media well this afternoon, and he is a mature driver," he said.

Although Eddie Irvine was mentioned as another possibility, Jordan didn't consider him. "I think Eddie is a super asset to Formula 1 and he is one of the characters this sport needs. But we have always been known as a team not afraid to take on new talent.

"People doubted us when we took Michael Schumacher from the sports car and look where he is now. Who's to say that Ralph Firman can't be the same. Ralph is only 27, while Eddie is 10-years older. And while he is new to Formula 1, he has shown the mental strength you need to drive here."

Firman is not daunted by the task in front of him. And even though he has one of the fastest drivers on the circuit as a team-mate in Giancarlo Fisichella, he sees this as a challenge he is ready to meet.

"I'm going to enjoy every minute of driving a Formula 1 car," said Firman, whose mother hails from Newbridge and who raced in Japan with a shamrock on one side of his helmet.

"It's incredible to be involved with Jordan-Ford and I can't wait to get started. The last two days have been pretty frantic.

"I had a great car and a great team in Japan last year, and I certainly learned a lot out there. I think I've grown up a lot faster than if I had stayed in Europe in F3000.

"If the rain comes at a race this year then that's going to give us a chance of scoring some good points and maybe even a podium," he said.

"It promises to be an interesting year. I am sure I am going to learn a lot from Giancarlo, and there is nothing better than having a fast team-mate because that I am pretty fast myself. And I am sure I am going to learn things from Giancarlo," he said.

Jordan, who announced Benson & Hedges, as a principal sponsor again this year feels this could be the season when they escape their disappointing form.

Acknowledging he has been criticised in the past for being a dreamer and optimist, Jordan thinks if his team can get good return from the first three races, it will be on the right track.

"I know it mightn't be easy for Ralph because he hasn't got much time to get used to the car. But, I think if we can make some kind of impact in the first three races, we will be on our way."

In this, Jordan believes the fact that his team will not have a reserve or test driver for the first few races can be a positive thing.

"There is the total concentration of the team on two cars for the first three races. And those races are always difficult, but we have to try and get the maximum points we can, because they set the tone for the rest of the season. If you don't get any points, you are already on the back-foot."

Confident as ever, Jordan is looking forward to this coming season. And with an Anglo-Irish driver, with bucketfuls of talent, perhaps some people will be sharing that optimism.