Ford pushes to assure Jaguar future

Jaguar Racing's long-term future in Formula 1 is set to be assured this week with parent company Ford ready to give the team an unequivocal vote of support, according to AUTOSPORT magazine

Aug 29, 2002, 8:09 AM

Senior management will gather for a crucial board meeting and the advice they will be given is that they should maintain the current level of investment in Jaguar.

The backing will end weeks of uncertainty following Jordan's link-up with Ford for 2003. Jordan has been told that it will not become the official works Ford team in F1, even though it will carry the car giant's famous blue oval symbol.

Ford's group vice-president of product development, Richard Parry-Jones, has compiled a report on what Jaguar needs to be successful in F1. This will be delivered at the board meeting.

Although Parry-Jones was unavailable for comment, senior sources within Ford told AUTOSPORT that his report suggests that Ford should continue to back Jaguar, although changes to the team's operation will be needed.

For the full story, plus all of this week's F1 news, see AUTOSPORT magazine, on sale from today (Thursday).