Jaguar could use pre-season Formula E tests to evaluate drivers
Jaguar Racing could use the official Formula E pre-season tests at Donington Park to evaluate its 2016/17 driver line-up
The British manufacturer will return to major international motorsport after a 12-year absence when it makes its FE debut in Hong Kong this October.
Speculation linked Jaguar to a driver announcement at last weekend's Battersea Park 2015/16 finale, but the marque insists it is not rushing a decision.
It is understood the driver line-up may not be officially confirmed until after the Donington tests in August and September.
Team director James Barclay told Autosport: "We are being thorough in our preparation, based on the team we put together and the talent we have.
"Part of that will be the right drivers."
Barclay also stressed that Jaguar would not be influenced by nationality, despite reports claiming at least one of the drivers will be British, and confirmed it was looking at drivers without FE experience.
Toyota World Endurance Championship driver Anthony Davidson and GP2 race winner Alex Lynn are among those to have been linked to the seat, along with inaugural FE drivers' champion Nelson Piquet Jr.
Jaguar has linked up with Williams Advanced Engineering for the development of its powertrain and operation of its race team.
The partnership is two-thirds of the way through its testing programme with its inaugural FE powertrain, having completed 10 of its allotted 15 manufacturer days with the I-Type 1.
It has racked up 1200km on circuit, and 130 hours of development work away from the track, and hopes to have completed its programme by the end of July.
FE's two three-day tests will take place at Donington Park from Tuesday August 23 to Thursday August 25, and then Monday September 5 to Wednesday September 7.
Seven seats have already been officially filled on next season's grid.
2016/17 FE DRIVER LINE-UP SO FAR
Renault e.dams: Sebastien Buemi, Nico Prost
Abt Audi Sport: Lucas di Grassi, Daniel Abt
DS Virgin Racing: TBC
Dragon Racing: Jerome d'Ambrosio, Loic Duval
Mahindra: TBC
Venturi: TBC
Andretti: Robin Frijns, TBC
Techeetah: TBC
NEXTEV TCR: TBC
Jaguar: TBC
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