Mark Smith rejoins Jordan

Today Mark Smith starts work at Jordan Grand Prix as the team’s new Technical Director, returning to the team where he spent ten years working on its most successful cars. Smith had already worked at Jordan from its entry into Formula One in 1991 until he left his chief designer position to join Benetton in 2001.

The last Jordan car Smith worked on was the EJ11, with which the team finished 5th in the 2001 Formula One Constructors’ Championship and Smith’s return to Jordan in the role of Technical Director significantly strengthens the team’s technical capability.

Eddie Jordan said, “I am so glad that Mark is back at Jordan. His work played a major part in our best performing cars over the years and in my opinion he has been instrumental in the recent turnaround in performance at his last team. His return to us as Technical Director, along with the recent deal securing Toyota engines for Jordan in 2005, means we have every reason to be optimistic about an improvement in competitive performance next year.”

Mark Smith said, “Returning to Jordan has two main facets for me. Firstly, the motivating factor is of course to play a key role in moving the team towards the front of the F1 grid. This will be neither easy nor instant but it is a challenge that I relish. Secondly, this team represents something a little special for me since I was fortunate to have the opportunity of being one of the three designers of the first Jordan F1 car, the 191. I am looking forward to playing a part in what I personally regard as the next Jordan generation.”