Jordan Not Embarrassed to Claim Podium

Jordan chief Colin Kolles has said he is not embarrassed to have claimed the team's first podium finish for two seasons after Tiago Monteiro grabbed third place in the United States Grand Prix

Jun 19, 2005, 7:42 PM

Monteiro only had to finish ahead of teammate Narain Karthikeyan and the two Minardis to grab the best result of his F1 career after all the Michelin runners withdrew from the race before the start.

But despite suggestions from Minardi boss Paul Stoddart that Jordan broke ranks on an agreement not to race unless a chicane was installed, and the backdrop of the Michelin problems, Kolles told ITV he was happy to have taken the result.

"I think the team did a good job," he said. "Of course the situation was not pleasant. We are not responsible for Michelin or the other teams, and they don't stop racing when we have tyre problems."

Speaking about what the result meant for Jordan, with the Championship points likely to ensure the team finish ahead of Minardi in the Constructors' Championship, Kolles added: "I am a realistic person and I will still be a realistic person.

"We are looking forward to the new car at the next race. We are ahead by far of Minardi."