David Coulthard & Jordan

[Tiptop]

Does anyone else agree that DC would be a good choice for Jordan ?

1. Good development for Jordan from proven race winner
2. Good for DC as he will be racing !
3. Should produce extra sponsorship for Jordan with DC on board
4. Could see Jordan move higher up the grid with DC and toyota power plant

5. Good move all round really


Only sticking point would be DC's salary but if he wants to stay in F1 maybe he will take a cut in his salary...depending on whether he is still a commited racer

Thoughts anyone ?

[Kicking-back]

Yes, it would be a sensible option.

He has qualities which deserve a place in F1.

[Glen]

He's already said that he'll drive for points bonuses only - not sure if that applies if points are highly unlikely!

I wonder how far down the grid DC would go.

[Gabrio]

I think Jordan will have to take Briscoe onboard as a Toyota protegé and there are many drivers on the market. How difficult will it be for DC to take a pay cut and at the same time drastically reduce his ambitions? Would an 8th place satisfy him after years at Mc Laren?

[Sodemo]

Maybe good for Jordan, but good for Coulthard?

[GTRMagic]

I would rather see DC @ Minardi

[Super Tourer]

It's getting a bit sad for DC, neither Williams or Red Bull are interested, even the other test seat at Ferrari that I read DC would look at as an option has now gone.

I can't see that Jordan would in anyway suit DC, no offence to EJ but I don't think DC imagines taking that sort of backward leap.

To me, if he is to remain in F1 the best option looks to be testing with McLaren as a prelude to heading up the Dubai F1 program which is rumoured to be using McLaren technology and Mercedes engines.

That would be a good fit.

[BootsOntheSide]

If Jordan can afford him, he'd be a bette roption than they could've dreamed of. Unfortauntely, I can't see Coulthard being willing to accept the kind of salary Eddie can offer, and the lack of competitiveness won't entice him either. I suspect that ST is right about the Dubai option, as they'll probably be running their first test car by mid-2005, and DC can help McLaren until then.

[GTRMagic]

The Dubai offer remains a pipedream...

... but why not establish DC at Jordan on a $$ for points arrangement... make him work for his money

Which would only work if the driver had confidence in the technical package the team put together, and the ability to develop the car... and indeed the 2nd driver.

It was quite late in the piece for Jordan to rework the chassis to fit the Toyota/Daihatsu engine to next year's car... who knows what compromises were made in the process...

[Glen]

Jordan are in for another very difficult year I fear. It is hard to see how they will be able to redevelop their car for both a completely different engine and the latest regulations - I'm sure they can get a car together, but the fine-tuning that typifies modern F1 is ultra-expensive and simply not within their reach.

I hate to be negative, but I'm not sure where they are going to get any points.

[Kicking-back]

Jordan were one of the first teams to have a car out testing to 2005 aero regulations.

[Dixie Flatline]

There is a clip on crash.net where Jordan's Ian Phillips talks to Matt Salisbury, and Salisbury raises the possibility of Coulthard going to Jordan. I don't know who Ian Phillips is, but he seemed very dismissive of the idea, even if Coulthard drove on a performance-based contract. Phillips said Jordan might not name their drivers until Jan '05, because they preferred to get the car developed before finding the drivers.

[Super Tourer]

Ian Phillips is commercial director at Jordan, long time associate of EJ.

[Dixie Flatline]

Thanks for that. Would seem to put more weight behind the story, then.

[Glen]

The flip-side of that remark by Ian Phillips is that no serious driver is likely to commit to the team, especially on a performance-only basis, before the team can demonstrate that they have a car and funding in place to compete.

[Dixie Flatline]

It seems therefore that Jordan is in the same position as it was this year in connection with its drivers - they were quite late in naming them, IIRC.

[Dixie Flatline]

BTW, the other thing that came out of the discussion with Mr Phillips was that Ryan Briscoe is not being pushed upon Jordan by Toyota in exchange for Toyota's engine supply. He confirmed they are in discussions with him, but the direct link is not there.

[BootsOntheSide]

I always figured that if Ryan was going to be placed at Jordan by Toyota, the announcement would be made immediately. Considering that he doesn't have much of his own funding, I'd say he's a long-shot at best.

[Super Tourer]

Going to be a difficult call for EJ next season, IF Toyota make a marked improvement in their car and Red Bull produce a resonable and reliable car, getting points will be even harder than 2004.

Therefore do you pick drivers who are well funded, but not neccesarily top drawer - simply to stay in business and realising that points will be hard to come by anyway.

Or, do you pick a talented and not neccesarily well (or at all) funded driver to try and push the team forward?

It's credibilty vs reality. In EJ's shoes what would you do ? (apart from sell up before anyone post's it!)

[Roundy Mooney]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
If Jordan can afford him, he'd be a bettr option than they could've dreamed of. Unfortauntely, I can't see Coulthard being willing to accept the kind of salary Eddie can offer, and the lack of competitiveness won't entice him either.

What and DC's lack of competiveness will entice them to give him wads of cash for his highness to drive for them?

I think nightmare would be a better description of Coultard at Jordan.

If the car isn't going to be competitive anyway do you look for the next Schumi who may put he car above it's normal potential or stick with a very average driver who thinks he deserves better?

[billyblister]

http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?T...le&PO_ID=30700

Just read this on ITV's website, makes for interesting reading but I hate to see the day that the Jordan name (and colour) goes.

[BootsOntheSide]

Originally posted by Roundy Mooney
What and DC's lack of competiveness will entice them to give him wads of cash for his highness to drive for them?

I think nightmare would be a better description of Coultard at Jordan.

If the car isn't going to be competitive anyway do you look for the next Schumi who may put he car above it's normal potential or stick with a very average driver who thinks he deserves better?

In recent years it's been the experienced guys (Fisichella, Hill, Frentzen, Heidfeld) who've moved Jordan up the grid, not the rookies, no matter hw talented some of them have been.

Like it or not, DC has the most impressive CV of all the candidates for this drive, and has plenty of other skills in PR, team-building and testing to help the team. If they can afford him, he's their ideal lead driver.

[billyblister]

Frentzen's success soon turned sour and Hill's final year was a disaster but I do agree DC has more to offer than his speed\lack of speed.

Can't see him accepting the role though.
How much is a point worth these days? Without knowing that its hard to justify him in the car.

[Dutton]

It'd be great for Jordan.

[nkh]

Damon Hill moved Jordan a place up in the constructors championship in 1998 and he got a win (Damons first year in the team and also the first year with Honda engines).

I don't expect DC + Toyota to move the team forward to 4th in 2005, but they could make some small magical moments together.

With a new car-engine combo and limited testing Jordan needs someone who can focus on making the car better from lap one, not a young talent who'll need all the track time to get himself ready for F1.