Jordan EJ14

The Jordan EJ14 was the fourteenth Jordan Formula One car. It was used by the team to compete in the 2004 Formula One season. The car itself was not a totally new car; instead it was a major upgrade of the previous year's uncompetitive EJ13. The chassis itself was modified and combined with a new aerodynamic package and more powerful Ford-badged Cosworth engine. It also had a return to a single-keel suspension layout. However, the team's small budget meant that little or no testing of the cars was carried out, both before the season and during it. Unsurprisingly, the car was just as uncompetitive as its predecessor. The lack of speed was blamed on a lack of power coming from the Cosworth engine, which the team claimed was not the same as those being used by Jaguar, Ford's works team.[1]

Jordan EJ14
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorJordan
Designer(s)Gary Anderson (Technical Director)
John McQuilliam (Chief Designer) Nicoló Petrucci (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorEJ13
SuccessorEJ15
Technical specifications[1][2][3][4][5]
ChassisFull Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod-activated torsion bars and dampers
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones
Length4,670 mm (183.9 in)
Width1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height950 mm (37.4 in)
Axle trackFront: 1,400 mm (55.1 in)
Rear: 1,418 mm (55.8 in)
Wheelbase>3,000 mm (118.1 in)
EngineFord Cosworth RS2, 2,998 cc (182.9 cu in), 90° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
TransmissionJordan 7-speed longitudinal, semi-automatic
Power800-900 hp @ 18,000-19,000 rpm[6]
Weight600 kg (1,322.8 lb) (including driver)
FuelElf
LubricantsLiqui Moly
TyresBridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsJordan Ford
Notable drivers18. Nick Heidfeld
19. Giorgio Pantano
19. Timo Glock
Debut2004 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
180000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The team had only just survived the winter break after the 2003 season, and when the EJ14 broke cover for the first time, it carried the message "Lazarus", referring to the team's resurrection from the dead. For the rest of the season the car would run with various messages of peace on the engine over. These included a dove at the 2004 Australian Grand Prix, and a picture of Ayrton Senna at the San Marino GP, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his death. The changing images were chosen by the Bahraini government, who purchased sponsorship space on the team's engine cover to celebrate the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix.

Nigel Mansell demonstrates an EJ14 in the streets of London in the days leading up to the 2004 British Grand Prix.

It was driven by Nick Heidfeld, who was swapped with Sauber in favour of Giancarlo Fisichella and Formula 3000 driver Giorgio Pantano were the two drivers. Heidfeld was chosen for his skill, while Pantano got a drive primarily because he had sponsors who would contribute money to the team. It was expected that unemployed Jos Verstappen would take the second seat, but the deal for him to drive fell through. In Canada, Pantano was replaced by German Timo Glock, as Pantano's backers were unable to pay for his drive in time. Glock went on to score two points in that race after both Williamses and Toyotas were disqualified for brake duct infringements. Glock would then replace Pantano for good in the final three rounds, when it became clear that Pantano would not be able to pay for his seat any longer.

Unfortunately the team's budget was very small, which directly affected their performance. Benson and Hedges was the main sponsor, with only smaller sponsors such as Trust contributing small amounts of money to the team's budget. A lack of testing and development, plus the need to have drivers who could pay for their seat, rather than be skilled, affected the team's results.

The car's performance and reliability were generally poor all year. A total of 5 points were scored all year. Heidfeld drove superbly to seventh place at Monaco, and both Jordans were promoted to 7th and 8th after the Canadian race due to multiple cars getting disqualified. However, it was still the first time in the team's history that a top-six result had not been achieved. There were other points-scoring opportunities, but poor luck and poor reliability robbed the team of these chances. Most notably Heidfeld was running strongly at the carnage-packed US Grand Prix, and looked set for points when his engine failed. Points could also have been scored at Spa, but both drivers were involved in accidents, with Pantano out on lap 1, and Heidfeld finishing 10th, but 5 laps down. Occasionally the Jordans were able to fight with other teams, notably Sauber, but more commonly Jaguar and Toyota. But for the most part, the EJ14s would spend their time running behind most of the field, with just the Minardis behind.

The team's future was put into doubt late in the season when Ford announced it was withdrawing from F1, leaving the team with no engines for the following year. For a while it appeared that the team would close immediately after the final race of the season. Only a late deal to run Toyota engines for 2005 saved the team.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Points WCC
2004 Jordan Ford V10* B AUS MAL BHR SMR ESP MON EUR CAN USA FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA CHN JPN BRA 5 9th
Nick Heidfeld Ret Ret 15 Ret Ret 7 10 8 Ret 16 15 Ret 12 11 14 13 13 Ret
Giorgio Pantano 14 13 16 Ret Ret Ret 13 Ret 17 Ret 15 Ret Ret Ret
Timo Glock 7 15 15 15

* Denotes Cosworth-built engines, badged as Ford

References

  1. Hamilton, Maurice (2004). "Formula 1 Review: Jordan". In Alan Henry (ed.). Autocourse 2004-2005. London, England: Hazleton Publishing. pp. 68–69. ISBN 1-903135-35-4.
  2. Ménard, Pierre (2006). "The Teams: Jordan". The Great Encyclopedia of Formula 1. Paris, France: Chronosports Editeur. p. 328. ISBN 2-84707-118-0.
  3. Jones, Bruce (ed.) (2004). "Team Statistics: Jordan". The Official Formula 1 Season Review 2004. Sparkford, England: Haynes Publishing. p. 52. ISBN 1-84425-202-7.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  4. Domenjoz, Luc (ed.) (2004). "The Players - Jordan Ford". Formula 1 Yearbook 2004-2005. Paris, France: Chronosports Editeur. pp. 38–29. ISBN 2-84707-072-9.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  5. F1, STATS. "Jordan EJ14 • STATS F1".
  6. https://www.statsf1.com/en/moteur-ford-cosworth.aspx
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