Going gets tough for Jordan

"As we've tested at Barcelona a few times I know the circuit much better than any of the tracks I have raced at so far this season," he said. "Basically it means that instead of spending the first 10 laps learning a new circuit, I can go straight to set-up work. That's a good thing because I think this is going to be a tough circuit for us."

Jordan ran two cars at last week's Silverstone test, where it continued to put extra miles on Honda's improved engine, as well as developing various parts of the car including brake systems and traction control, plus the ubiquitous tyre testing. And picking the right type of rubber could be vital to a good result this weekend according to the team's senior race engineer David Brown.

"We've done a lot of homework and believe that we have got the right tyre choice," said Brown. "I think Barcelona will suit the EJ12 better than Imola because it has more flowing corners and less 'stop-starting'. The extra power from the engine is going to help there and some aerodynamic modification we tested at Silverstone look like they will definitely be an advantage."

Jordan has competed in every Spanish GP to be held at the Circuit de Catalunya since the race moved there in 1991. It has scored points on five occasions, with its best result coming last season when Jarno Trulli took fourth place just 1.5s off a podium position.