1996 was the season that it would all come together for Jordan. A balanced driver line-up of youth and experience, a second season powerful works engine, promising pre-season testing and then to top it all a prestigious sponsorship deal. Regular podium finishes beckoned, some even predicted the odd win. Ultimately, Eddie Jordan must have set his seasons goal to break into the mythical 'big 4'. This would be the season when the promises would be realised.

Now it is Janurary, another season has passed and the team lies a distant fifth in the championship.

The very thought that a Jordan would not even make it as far as the podium in '96 would have been viewed as the nightmare scenario. With the exception of a first row qualification in Brazil, the season has been a bitter disappointment to both fan and team alike. Credit is due, the team has scored points, the odd fourths, a few fifths here and there, all in all nothing to write home about. So what went wrong ?

As a fan who has tracked Jordan's progress with a great deal of interest, it is hard to pick out any one particular cause. Its not that the team in demise, on the contrary, they are the best of the bunch and usually are more than a match for Sauber and Ligier. That said, in my humble perspective, it would appear that the team may have hit the F1 one version of the marathon runner's wall. Jordan have been here before in their quest for the top, remember 1992? After a spectacular debut season the team won a works engine deal but struggled throughout the season and, in the end, just sneaked a point in the final GP of that season. In comparison, early in '96 things looked bright. The team qualified well and were reasonably competitive against all teams - bar Williams. Then things started to go wrong. The car was not reliable and the drivers were frustrated, team manager Walton jumped ship to Arrows (a portent of events later in the season) and on top of all that there were rumours of dissent and acrimony in a once happy go lucky, devil may care outfit. Was it all falling apart for Jordan when it once had promised so much?

Eddie Jordan must have been tearing his hair out. The package was in place, but the Jordans were scrapping it out for the odd point or two, depending on the cars finishing in the first place. After the first few races, the team seemed to take a step backwards in terms of qualifying and scoring. The bar stool pundits pondered that it was all down to the change in color scheme, put the words 'Ireland' back on the car and it will all be OK again. Barrichello wasn't happy, Brundle was to be dumped, it all smelled of desperation, even a touch of panic.

Bleak as the scene then was, in analysis of the events it is important to the be objective. Plenty of people in and out of the paddock would love to see the smirk wiped off the face of that so and so upstart Jordan. In his and the teams defence, it should to remembered that it was at this point that the Ferrari and McLarens started to get their acts together. Both teams started to match speed with reliability and regularly finished in the points. When the 'big 4' get going, there is little look in for the rest. Jordan, Sauber, Ligier, et al learned the hard rules of F1 this season. As we come to the end of 1996 we are looking a the consolidation of the 'big 4'. Next season will see stronger Ferrari, McLaren and Benneton outfits fighting the dominant Williams head to head. In that sense Jordan has not really taken a step back but the opposition have instead taken a step forward. Breaking into the 'big 4' was, for most of the season, improbable unless there was an accident or a retirement. Given that the task looks even more formidable in '97, how will Eddie and the boys fight back?

This has been a strange season for the team, the ambitions have not been fulfilled. All this in an industry that won't suffer dreamers for too long. Added to the rest of the fun and games endured during 1996, there was also the silly season. Damon Hill was dumped by Williams and was left with limited drives. After the McLaren and Benneton options dried up, it appeared that the Champion elect would drive for either Jordan or Stewart. Eddie Jordan must have thought that all the luck of the Irish (that had earlier deserted his team) was now coming together. The Jordan '97 could carry the coveted number 1 and be driven by one of the stars of the sport, the big time beckoned. Then, Hill announced that he was joining Arrows. This must have been a real kick in the teeth for Jordan. Stewart Grand Prix, that he could understand... but Arrows? The ability of a team to attract a big name driver was vital, they could have had one of the best and Hill didn't bite. You have to wonder how Peugeot, Total and B&H all feel about the Hill/Jordan/Arrows? Personally, as a fan, it makes me wonder what the future holds.

Next season (as they all have been) will be vital for the Jordan team. The Peugeot works engine may be up for grabs. It is possible that top drivers out of contract will survey the grid for a winning drive, what will they think of Jordan '97? The team will not only face a tough task in breaking the 'big 4' but will also face renewed and strengthened challenges from Stewart, Ligier, Arrows and Sauber. Its make or break time again though, now it may really count. The lessons of the '96 season must be learned. The engine is good, the chassis is good, now it has to start coming together. Schumacher is young and hungry and will bring a vibrancy and enthusiasm to a team that has seen bad times. Who the other driver will be is still debatable¹. Barrichello needs the move and new challenge to fulfil his potential and should be let go. Brundle had a tough season, professionally and privately and may lack the hunger at this stage of his career. Different names are being mentioned, Boullion and Fisichella are possibles. At the end of the day Eddie Jordan has displayed an uncanny knack for picking promising young drivers from the lower formulae and I have no doubt he will work his magic again.

In conclusion, its been a bad season. It would be naive to believe that the team would not encounter problems like they had this season at some point in their lifetime. As with all bad times the most important thing is to learn from mistakes. We can only hope that the team will consolidate in '97 and that all will be well in the capable hands of Eddie Jordan. It had better be, time may be running out and the phiranas are circling.

¹ Article was written before news of Jordan's contract with Fisichella was announced.