The Jordan 198 was the Formula One car with which the Jordan team competed in the 1998 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, who had moved from Arrows, and Ralf Schumacher, who was in his second season with the team. Test driver Pedro de la Rosa also drove the Jordan 198 during test sessions in 1998.[3][4]

Jordan 198
Damon Hill's Belgian GP winning car on display at the Donington Grand Prix Collection
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorJordan
Designer(s)Gary Anderson (Technical Director)
Paul Crooks (Chief Designer)
Mark Smith (Chief Engineer)
John Iley (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor197
Successor199
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)Unequal-length double wishbones, pushrod-operated rockers
Suspension (rear)Unequal-length double wishbones, pushrod-operated rockers
Axle trackFront: 1,480 mm (58 in)
Rear: 1,420 mm (56 in)
EngineMugen-Honda MF-310HC, 3,000 cc (183.1 cu in), 72° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
TransmissionJordan 6-speed sequential semi-automatic
Power690 hp (515 kW) @ 13,800 rpm[2]
Weight600 kg (1,300 lb)
FuelElf[note 1]
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsBenson & Hedges Jordan
Notable drivers9. United Kingdom Damon Hill
10. Germany Ralf Schumacher
Debut1998 Australian Grand Prix
First win1998 Belgian Grand Prix
Last win1998 Belgian Grand Prix
Last event1998 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
161300
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Overview

edit

The 198 ran promisingly in pre-season testing, however the car struggled in the early part of the season. Damon Hill complained of understeer and the Mugen Honda engine was down on power. After Jordan failed to score a point in the first half of the season, Gary Anderson left the team and Eddie Jordan hired Mike Gascoyne to rework the car.[5] Numerous improvements were made to the 198's suspension, front wing and floor, while Mugen developed the engine.[6] Further tyre development work by Goodyear enabled the team to enjoy a resurgence, scoring points in every race bar one in the second half of the season.[7] This included Hill taking their first F1 victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, with Schumacher second. Schumacher also finished third in Italy, while Hill was fourth on three occasions. The team ultimately finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship with 34 points, four behind Williams in third and one ahead of Benetton in fifth.[8]

Sponsorship and livery

edit

For the third consecutive year, Benson & Hedges was the team's main sponsor. The 198 featured a bright yellow "hornet" livery, with a hornet's eye and head painted on the either side of the nosecone; wings and stripes on the side of the car. At the Grands Prix that did not allow tobacco advertising, the text was replaced with the hornet-related "Buzzin' Hornets".

Additionally, the team was able to gain the MasterCard sponsorship on the airbox prior to the withdrawal of Lola based team from the previous season.

Complete Formula One results

edit

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1998 Benson & Hedges Jordan Mugen Honda V10 G AUS BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR AUT GER HUN BEL ITA LUX JPN 34 4th
Damon Hill 8 DSQ 8 10 Ret 8 Ret Ret Ret 7 4 4 1 6 9 4
Ralf Schumacher Ret Ret Ret 7 11 Ret Ret 16 6 5 6 9 2 3 Ret Ret

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Despite Repsol YPF is an oil and gas company as a major sponsor of Jordan Grand Prix since 1998 season, the Repsol YPF branding appears on the Jordan 198, but the car uses Elf fuel and lubricants.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Jordan 198". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Engine Mugen Honda". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Formula One World Championship: The new Jordan 198 driversÕ line up for pre-season testing (l to r): Ralf Schumacher (GER); Pedro de la Rosa (ESP); Damon Hill (GBR)". Motorsport Images. Sutton Images. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Pedro de la Rosa (ESP) tests the Jordan 198. Formula One Testing, Magny-Cours, France, 15 Ð16 September 1998". Motorsport Images. Sutton Images. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Gascoyne on the way to Jordan". www.grandprix.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  6. ^ "How the Jordan F1 team's first triumph at Belgium in 1998 was made in Ulster". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2020 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  7. ^ "1998 Jordan 198". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Profile: Jordan 198". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 14 February 2020.