Jaguar Boss Praises Driver Line-Up

Jaguar boss Tony Purnell says Australian Mark Webber and Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia are the drivers the Milton Keynes-based outfit needed for the crucial 2003 season.

Jaguar have undergone a major reshuffle since the end of the 2002 season, and have opted for an all-new driver line-up that would fit their new regime. Purnell, the chief executive officer of Ford's Premier Performance Division, says the team did not want any prima donnas with them and expect Webber and Pizzonia to be up to the task.

"We've tried to ensure that our drivers are very much plugged into our new way of doing things from the start, and both Mark and Antonio are absolutely with the programme in that sense," said Purnell. "Mark, who is of course the more experienced of the two in F1 terms, is just so damned professional.

"He really is extremely impressive from that point of view. Antonio, meanwhile, is a very quick and talented guy â€" and that, plain and simple, was the reason for our hiring him.

"I'm not into prima donnas. I've got no time for drivers trying to take control of everything â€" tests, especially â€" instead of being part of the team like everyone else. And I think both Mark and Antonio are very much aware of the tasks ahead of them, and will approach those tasks in an enthusiastic, co-operative and, above all, professional manner.

"And that's the right way, the only way; after all, however much of a megastar he might be, that's what Michael Schumacher does at Ferrari, even now, isn't it?"

Webber, who made his Formula One debut with the Minardi team last year, impressed with the small Anglo-Italian outfit, scoring two points in his first race. Pizzonia spent a year testing for the Williams team before joining Jaguar this season.

The duo have replaced outspoken Ulsterman Eddie Irvine and Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa.