By Steve
May 20 2003

Jaguar are looking forward to a good showing at the A1-ring in Austria this weekend following 3 days of productive testing at The Paul Ricard Test track last week, where the team concentrated on weight distribution, suspension and tyres. This year with team-orders banned, it is hoped that fans won't see any drivers pulling over to give team-mates a better finishing position and a better chance at winning the title by hundreds of points. This year it will be more subtle.

Last year neither Jag finished the race in which Pedro de la Rosa Retired on the first lap and Eddie Irvine Retired after around 40 laps. Webbers 7th place at Barcelona gives us the hope that Both jags can finish, hopefully in a points scoring position.

Here's what the team had to say:

Antonio Pizzonia:"I am going to Austria motivated by the team's points scoring finish in Barcelona. Although my race ended before it began, we must focus on the team's results and I am confident going forward. Austria, a low grip track, is very different to Barcelona and boasts some good overtaking opportunities in turns two and three. I like the track, despite the fact it's in the middle of nowhere! I am reliably informed that I would have loved the original track used up till 1987 which, according to many, was one of the most amazing on the Grand Prix calendar. A Michelin shod car was on the front row of the grid last year and we are hopeful about the tyre potential this weekend. The Paul Ricard test last weekend went very well and I managed a good amount of mileage last Friday. I am looking forward to the A1-Ring and although it is not a circuit I know well, I am encouraged by the durability of the car and am therefore aiming to ‘start' and finish the race".

Mark Webber: "It's been a busy few days with a mixture of on-track testing and off-track interest in my contract extension with the team. I have an excellent relationship with the team and I am very excited about the challenge ahead. There is a lot of hard work ahead of us, but this is one of the many steps that we are taking in a bid to reap the rewards that we know we can achieve, especially when you consider how much has actually been achieved since the end of last season. The R4 package continues to go from strength to strength and our three day test last week at Paul Ricard was very positive. We completed a lot of preparatory work in advance of Austria and I am keen to get out onto the track this Friday morning to confirm much of what we have tested. There is no easy competition on the grid this season and it's critical that we maintain the momentum. We began the season with respectability in mind and I'd like to think that we are on the right path now."

David Pitchforth:"In addition to working on the launch control we have worked through a program of tyre comparisons with Michelin, aerodynamic development, mechanical set-up and suspension work. The team successfully completed the program and given how well the test went, we managed to undertake some extra work with the time available. The reliability demonstrated in Barcelona was very encouraging and combined with the competitiveness pace of the Jaguar R4, we go to Austria in search of more championship points. The A1-Ring poses several setup challenges with tyre management being of paramount importance, particularly important given the new qualifying and race format for this season. The three long straights will reward our Cosworth CR5 V10 powerplant and the two remaining sections place great emphasis on aerodynamic capability.
Put another way, the A1-Ring forces you to make a compromise on setup to achieve the quickest lap time. Antonio visited the factory last week and addressed the workforce prior to leaving for Paul Ricard. Like Mark, he is upbeat and encouraged about the development we are undertaking and assuming both drivers can make the chequered flag this weekend, there is nothing to stop us from adding to our points charge. We are also delighted at having announced an extension to Mark's contract until the end of 2005. This long term focus is important for the stability of the team and strengthens further the foundations going forward as we take our challenge further up the grid."