Jordan unveils EJ11.

The Jordan team heralded its 'backroom boys' with the launch of the latest EJ11 at Silverstone, and promised that this was a refreshed operation that had learnt from its mistakes.

The unveiling, held at the team's Silverstone factory in contrast to other team's planned locations, was performed by several members of the unseen fabrication and design office staff, to thank those behind the scenes for their tireless contribution to the annual grind of producing and racing grand prix machines.

The launch also marked Jordan's first partnership with Honda, with the Japanese company's RA001E V10 nestling comfortably in the back of the traditional yellow-and-black EJ11 when the covers were pulled back.

Team boss Eddie Jordan was joined on stage by Honda's R&D managing director Takefumi Hosaka, as well as drivers Jarno Trulli, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Ricardo Zonta, and the EJ11's designer Tim Holloway. Welcoming Honda to the team, Jordan underlined the importance of the new Anglo-Japanese association.

"This is the realisation of a dream, representing a total commitment to winning the world championship," he said, "Honda has an unrivalled success story in Formula One and we have been given the awesome responsibility of adding to the record.

"It was very disappointing for us in 2000 - we started well and led momentarily in Australian, held third and fourth in Brazil. We had a reasonably quick car, but it proved unreliable. With McLaren and Ferrari in the field, you have no second bite of the cherry and, while we were sorting out the problems, they were improving. We have learnt from our mistakes, however, and I believe that the changes we have made, and our new philosophy to going racing will reap benefits in 2001.

"We decided to can the development of the EJ10 quite early, in order to concentrate on the EJ11. Tim Holloway was given the responsibility of gelling all aspects of the new car together, and deserves a big thank-you for his efforts. It was a big responsibility, especially with a partner like Honda coming on board. I am delighted to say that, from February, Tim will be aided by Eghbal Hamidy, who joins us to set up a programme to ensure that continuity with this car and those in the future will be the best.

"Continuity is important with the drivers, too,with the knowledge, feeling and interface with the engineers that that brings. I still believe that there is no better two-car driver line-up in F1 better than ours - Jarno and Heinz-Harald get on well and are both fast race car drivers. I am also pleased to have Ricardo Zonta back with us, bringing experience of working with Honda. Many people forget that he was here early in his career, but comes back with two years of F1 under his belt, as well as the F3000 and FIA sportscar titles.

"We have restructured the management, added nearly 50 people ton the workforce and witnessed the team gel together into the most committed and dedicated team that Jordan has ever fielded. In facing the challenge of years ahead, we have had to grow the company in every direction. It hasn't been an easy task, but I have never felt so confident. We are a totally focused unit, looking forward to the tough, but exciting, times ahead."

With a year's experience back in F1 with BAR, Honda believes that it will be in a position to challenge more readily at the front of the field this season.

"We have made some excellent progress in the last few months, getting to know Jordan and establishing working practices," Hosaka revealed, "Jordan is a strong, solid team, with excellent chassis technology and experience, and the Jordan chassis and Honda engine will make an excellent combination. We are looking forward to achieving some good results together.

"Our target for the 2001 season is to have one Honda-powered team in the top three of the constructors' championship. We also want to achieve a Honda-powered driver on the top step of the podium and, with the support of our partners, I am sure that we should be able to achieve this."

The new Honda is mated to a seven-speed gearbox, overhauled from last year's troublesome six-speeder, all packaged in a chassis and aerodynamic package less radical than last year's supposed world-beater. Front and rear suspension differs little from that seen on recent incarnations of any car up and down the grid, with push-rod operation, while Bridgestone tyres remain the rubber of choice. The quest for reliability and performance has led to an increased technical department at the team, and the EJ11 - initially penned by the now departed Mark Smith - reflects the input of a stronger team.

Jordan welcomes new backers Infinion - also a technical partner - DHL and Danzas to its portfolio, the latter pair courtesy of existing sponsor DeutschePost, and thanked all those involved with financing the team for digging deep when the team outlined its new plans and commitments for 2001.

"The sponsors were unbelievable," the Irishman said, "We asked them to dig deep because of the big demand R&D, testing, and the new partnership with a works engine will put on the team, and they responded."

The EJ11 will feature a change in livery and, while still in its familiar yellow-and-black hue courtesy of title sponsor B&H, will now feature a shark at the front rather than the hornet that has appeared on the nose for the past two seasons.