Irvine plays down R3 teething troubles

Irvine was the first to report a problem with Jaguar's lack of downforce with the front wing during the first week of testing and the team subsequently discovered that they had made a miscalculation during the wind tunnel tests.

The Ulsterman, however, is quick to play down suggestions that the discovery will hamper the team's attempts to climb up the constructors' standings in 2002.

"It's way too premature for anybody to be making predictions about our season," said Irvine in the Daily Mail. "We understand the problem we have with the front wing and the team is working hard toward fixing it as quickly as possible."

Jaguar changed its testing schedule this week to take their cars to Lurcy Levis in France to conduct straight line running to measure downforce.

"Contrary to what some have said, we are not experiencing downforce problems over the whole car," Irvine insisted. "The 2002 package is nearly 40kg lighter than last year's car and when we have solved this frustrating problem, I am confident of making the gains we have targeted."

The team begins a four day test in Barcelona today [Friday] with Irvine resuming duties in the new R3 on Sunday and Monday.