Jaguar launch: Tech men explain R3

Technical director Steve Nichols said that the team has been more ambitious in its design philosophy than in the past. The aerodynamics of the chassis should be much improved over last year's R2, despite Jaguar still not having its own windtunnel in Britain.

"This year, our target has been simple: to make the car go as fast as possible," Nichols said. "That sounds obvious, and it is, but what I mean is that we've been more adventurous in our design philosophy this time. I guess we've concentrated on aerodynamics because we feel we were a little behind the game, aerodynamically, in 2001.

"Do not misunderstand me: we have some very good aero people at Jaguar Racing, but they have been hindered by the fact that our wind tunnel has been located in California all this time. Now that we have taken steps to rectify that situation, our whole operation will become easier and on a par with how our competition operates."

The result is that the R3 looks substantially different to the previous Jaguar, featuring a Ferrari-style droop nose. But there is some carry-over from the R2. The old car's strength and reliability is one area that has been taken as a basis for development.

"By comparison, R2 was arguably overly robust in some areas," said chief designer John Russell. "Therefore, with R3 we have been able to focus on reducing weight and improving aerodynamic performance, while building on the already proven qualities of the suspension, engine and transmission."