Pantano out at Jordan
Team Jordan Ford has announced that it will race with Heidfeld and Glock in the remaining three races of the season. The situation of Pantano as a racing driver had become contractually insustainable. Dutchman Robert Doornbos will take Glock's place as third driver for the team.
Eddie Jordan said, “It has been a pleasure working with Giorgio this year however contractual issues have made this unavoidable and we wish him every success in the future. Timo’s performance throughout the season as our third driver in testing and free practice has been first-class particularly when he stood in and raced in Canada. I am confident that in this unexpected call-up he will do a good job for Jordan again. In Shanghai he will be in the same boat as everyone else as the circuit is new for all the drivers.”
Glock has participated in team test sessions and Friday free practice at every Grand Prix so far this season. He raced in the Canadian Grand Prix and scored two points in his F1 race debut.
Robert Doornbos will be the team’s third driver and will drive the team’s third car (39) at the Grands Prix of China, Japan and Brazil 2004. Doornbos won the F3000 race in Spa this year and scored a further three podiums, finishing 3rd overall in the 2004 FIA International F3000 Championship for Arden International and adding the 2004 F3000 “Rookie Of the Year” award to his list of achievements.
Eddie Jordan said, “I’m very pleased that we have been able to offer this unexpected opportunity to Robert Doornbos. He has shown very impressive form this season with Arden International, holding his own against a dominant team-mate. Winning at Spa is a great achievement because it is a true ‘drivers’ track and we are looking forward to having Doornbos on board with Jordan for his F1 debut.”
Robert Doornbos said, “The F3000 season only just ended in Monza and it’s been an amazing season for me – in my first year in F3000 I won a race and got on the podium a few times. To get this chance with Jordan is fantastic and although it’s late in the day and at circuits I have never visited, I’m grabbing the opportunity with both hands and looking forward to my first F1 drive. I would like to thank my sponsors Muermans Group and Burgfonds for helping me to make this possible.”
