Jaguar Get to Bottom of Webber's Hot Seat

Jaguar have got to the bottom of a seat problem that forced Australian Mark Webber out of the Japanese Grand Prix eight days ago.

The Ford-owned team, preparing for their last Formula One race this weekend, said a loose chassis fixing inside the cockpit was to blame.

"(This) led to hot air from the engine entering the cockpit and heating Mark's seat to a point which became unbearable for him to continue," said Mark Gillan, Jaguar's head of vehicle performance, in a Brazilian Grand Prix preview.

Webber is moving to Williams after Sunday's race at Interlagos but Jaguar faces an uncertain future after being put up for sale by Ford.

The US car giant is pulling out after the end of the season and selling Jaguar and engine maker Cosworth. If no buyer is found by mid-November, the deadline for entries for next season, the team are likely to fold.

Team managing director David Pitchforth said morale remained high, however.

"Everyone has the pride and motivation to complete the season with style in order that we finish well and impress our future owner," he said. "We are working hard to continue to develop next year's car and the team's facilities as we go through the sales process.

"This is a good team, one that was on the verge of doing something great in F1, and I have no doubt that our staff are our strongest asset."

Jaguar, who have no wins and just two podium finishes to show for their five seasons in Formula One, are seventh in the Championship, a point ahead of Toyota.