Tahinci makes F1 debut

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Mon 22nd August 2005 FORMULA Renault UK’s Jason Tahinci is to become the first Turkish driver to pilot a Formula One car after Jordan Grand Prix invited the 21-year-old to perform demonstration laps in front of his home crowd.

Tahinci, a Team JLR driver in the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin, tested the Jordan-Toyota EJ15 at Silverstone and says he cannot wait to parade it in front of the Istanbul Park crowds at the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix later this month.

“Jason is a young, bright and quick driver who has shown his talent in the Formula Renault UK Championship,� said Colin Kolles, Managing Director of Jordan Grand Prix. “Being the first Turkish driver to ever drive a Formula One car, especially in front of his home crowd on a brand new circuit, will be an experience he will never forget.�

Tahinci has already flown back to Istanbul in preparation for the 21st August Grand Prix, where he will be making a guest appearance in the Turkish Copa SEAT Leon cup race as well as driving the Jordan. “To be running in front of my home crowd will be an amazing scenario,� he said. “After all, having a Turkish driver in a Formula One car on his home track is what the Turkish fans dream of seeing. It will be a great buzz."

This is Tahinci’s third full season in Formula Renault where his best finish was12th at Thruxton in 2004. He is studying automotive engineering at the University of Bath but since September last year has been working with the Renault F1 team. His duties have included developing pit lane equipment for the 2005 car, using the team’s wind tunnel to gather data on the chassis and traveling to tests around the world. “It’s a dream job for anybody,� he said. “But you can’t live in a dream world. It’s a business and being in this business for a year you learn so much.�

The job has given Tahinci access to some of the best drives in the world including F1 championship leader Fernando Alonso. He says their advice has had a direct impact on his racing. “They are very nice guys,� he said. “I try to listen very carefully to what they say on the radio and learn stuff from how they drive the car. I have tried changing my driving style but it’s not that easy implementing the stuff a world championship driver does!�

But even these masters will find the new Istanbul Park circuit a challenge according to Tahinci, who has driven around the new circuit in a road car. “It’s unique,� he said. “It’s anti-clockwise for a start and the elevation changes on the circuit are very high. Drivers are going to love it but they are going to struggle.�