EDDIE JORDAN is hard on his team. And twice as hard on himself. When he saw Damon Hill, who is currently leading the World championship, having great difficulty in overtaking his cars in last Sunday's European Grand Prix at Nuerburgring, it gave Jordan yet another reason to raise his expectations for the rest of the season.

The peace and quiet of The K Club in Straffan may be a million miles away from the ear drum pounding noise of the pit lane, but even here Team Jordan's endeavours are never far from the Dubliner's mind. And, increasingly, the thought is of winning a race.

"I'm harsh on the team and harsh on myself because I know how close we are," he explains. "When Damon Hill couldn't pass us at Nuerburgring, it just emphasised the big improvement that has taken place in the cars.

"But we have got to keep addressing the problems, such as those we encountered in the pits. That's why I have to be harsh. We need the entire team to be up to the game."

Jordan refers to the time lost, particularly by Rubens Barrichello, during pit stops in last Sunday's race. "We had third place in the bag, but lost at least five seconds over the two stops which proved to be costly," he stated - yet he was pleased that Martin Brundle (who finished sixth, one place behind the Brazilian) "proved he could be fast."

And he is convinced there will be even better times ahead, especially since the circuit has returned to Europe. Jordan concedes: "There were huge logistical problems competing in Australia and South America where we had the same people trying to do the job that nearly 200 normally do. But we have a good, happy team and I firmly believe we can win a race this season. That is the aim have now set."

Whether or not that sought after victory can come as soon as the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola next Sunday remains to be seen, but Jordan says: "I'm really thrilled to be back in Europe and I am certainly looking forward to Imola."

If the improvement in recent races is maintained, who knows, maybe Jordan's time will come sooner rather than later.