FORMULA ONE: Honda returns to track for maiden test with Jordan
2 December 2000
FIA Formula 1 World Championship Silverstone, England - Testing HONDA RETURNS TO TRACK FOR MAIDEN TEST WITH JORDAN Friday 1 December 2000 A new chapter in Honda's proud motorsport history began today (Friday) as the world's largest engine manufacturer linked up with Jordan Grand Prix for the first time. Jordan Honda's new official test driver Ricardo Zonta was behind the wheel of Jordan's current challenger for a shakedown test of two chassis at Silverstone, Northants, before the team heads for next week's three-day test in Jerez, Spain. Despite an enforced break from testing duties during the month of November, preparations for the coming season, which starts with the Australian Grand Prix on March 4, have continued apace. With the new season just 93 days away, Honda engineers in the UK and Japan have been involved in an intensive programme of engine development. Jordan's pre-season activity will initially centre around this year's EJ10 chassis, fitted with the 2000-spec engine as used by the team throughout last season, adapted to feature new Honda electronic management systems. The new EJ11 complete with the new full 'works' Honda RA001E is expected to run for the first time in mid-January. Next year's engine will be an evolution of the powerful, reliable unit that ended Honda's first season back in F1. The focus for 2001 will be to maximise the power capability of the RA001E to ensure that Honda achieves its long-term goal of developing the most powerful engine on the Formula One grid. Editor's note: Honda will supply British American Racing and Jordan Grand Prix with identical specification Honda RA001E 3-litre engines for the 2001 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. In addition, Honda engineers will collaborate with BAR on chassis development. BAR Honda's test programme begins in Jerez on Tuesday 5 December, when new driver Olivier Panis will make his debut in the Honda-powered BAR002. Honda's provisional F1 winter testing schedule: Jordan Honda Silverstone, UK 1/12/00 Jerez 5-7/12/00 Valencia, Spain 13-15/12/00 Barcelona, Spain 18-20/12/00 Silverstone 17-19/1/01 Barcelona 22-24/1/01 Valencia 31/1-4/2/01 Estoril, Portugal 9-12/2/01 Silverstone 20-22/2/01 BAR Honda Jerez, Spain 5-7/12/00 Jerez 18-22/12/00 Silverstone 10/1/01 Jerez 14-17/1/01 Barcelona 1-3/2/01 Kyalami, S.A. 8-13/2/01 Silverstone 21/2/01