#23 - Ian Phillips Part 2 - The rise and fall of Jordan Grand Prix

The First Corner Formula 1 Podcast

We kick off part 2 with the beginning of the Benson and Hedges era, discussing Jordan's early troubles in 1998 to become eventual grand prix winners. Ian gives his take on dealings with Mike Gascoyne, Damon Hill, Heinz Harld Frentzen, Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato.

Jordan's halycon wins in 1998 and '99 are discussed, along with how Ferrari ensured that Eddie Irvine didn't leave with the number 1 at the end of 1999.

Jordan transitioned into a works supplied outfit sharing the Honda engine with BAR, not without tension between the two teams, BAT eventually paid Honda to make Jordan go away, and left with a leech seeding deal with Cosworth engines in 2003. Giancarlo Fisichella's win in Brazil 2003 is discussed, Ian had a close relationship with Giancarlo up until Spa 2009 in the Force India team.

The car manufacturer influx of the early 2000's sent the team budgets soaring, but without sponsorship deals to match them, it lead to Jordan's eventual decline towards the back of the grid.

Ian also discusses F1 today, and how manufacturer teams can circumnavigate the budget cap.