The First Corner Formula 1 Podcast Kevin Joyce

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.

From messenger boy at Autosport to Eddie Jordan's right hand man for 15 years. Ian Philips was officially Jordan Grand Prix's commercial and marketing director, you only have to speak to him to know he was more of a team manager and had all the inside information for the top guns from his sources. In this episode, we talk about Ian's first steps into journalism in the seventies and delivering Autosport Magazine every Friday, eventually transferring those skills into commercial and F1 team management with Leyton House, giving Adrian Newey a chance in F1 in the process. Ending up at Jordan at the start of 1991, Ian was involved first hand at the legal battle between Benneton and Jordan over Michael Schumacher's services, and was part of the Jordan Grand Prix's deals with Sasol and Brian Hart in the early 90's. At one point, Ayrton Senna was interested in becoming a part team owner of Jordan Grand Prix. 

Kyle Forster is a Ph.D in aerodynamics, and specializes in racecars with his consultancy JKF Aero. The chat begins with Kyle's background growing up in Australia, developing his interest in motorsport and his buggy project, eventually specializing in aerodynamics at university. The cause of the porpoising issue the F1 teams have suffered from in the preseason tests, and other aerodynamic F1 questions are put to Kyle for his take. Kyle's time working at Mercedes is also discussed, along with getting an insight into the traits observed in the 2022 cars at the pre-season tests.

Laura Hannon stays on for an F1 chat. The off season stories including the championship decider, the seismic rule changes and Lewis Hamilton's media silence. Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz are discussed. We speculate which teams the new rule changes might favor. We close the podcast with a preview to the Formula Woman UK events.

After her assessment in Bedford, Laura Hannon has made it to the last 50 of the Formula Woman competition culminating in the finals on 2nd and 3rd of March 2022. The ultimate prize is a full time seat in a McLaren GT4 in the British GT Championship. Sim racing with Digital Motorsports and track days at Mondello Park are the bread and butter of preparation for the competition. How do the sims compare to real life? Why is Mondello Park an important circuit for drivers starting out?

The top 2, a deep dive into the highs and lows of each driver, against the back drop of the championship situation.