Jaguar R2 launch: A design for success?

Its new-look team hinges around a three-way partnership it hopes will bring them the results that were absent in the 2000 season. Former Williams man John Russell is the chief designer of the R2, but he has been joined by veteran Steve Nichols - who replaced Gary Anderson as technical director last month - and another new recruit, chief aerodynamicist Mark Handford. Although the latter pair were not involved in the 2001 design, they will have a hand in the development of the R2, as well as concentrating on next year's R3.

"Modern F1 is a big undertaking," said Nichols. "Twenty years ago you could have a single 'star' designer who could do it all himself, with a couple of draftsmen and a technician or two. You can't do that anymore. You have to co-ordinate the activities of a large number of good people. I like to work like that - I like to get together a group of people that are very good technically, and get them to work as a team and gel together."

The American, who has worked with the likes of Ferrari, McLaren and Sauber in the past, knows exactly how he wants his team of experts to work around him.

"The ideal situation is where everyone puts the benefit of the team first," he added. "What I try to convey to people is that if you put the team first and put yourself second, then as the team is successful your own personal success follows. I like to have a group of young engineers and it pleases me to see them achieve success."

Nichols believes what he has seen so far gives the team hope for its long-term fortunes.

"It will take time but they are good guys," he said. "I think we are all on the same wavelength. All three of us really want to get on with the job, get on well and work together. We want to get the maximum contribution from everybody. We need a competitive spirit. I want the engineers to want to beat the other engineers in the same way that the drivers want to beat the other drivers."

Aerodynamic ace Handford was recruited from Lola and is famous for his rear wing which is used by all Champ Cars on Superspeedways, commonly referred to as the 'Handford Device'. He says the down-to-earth approach of the design team will pay dividends.

"On a personality basis it couldn't be better," said Handford. "We certainly don't have any egos here. We need people that know the business and yet are strong-willed enough to say, 'You've got to do this, because I don't know enough.' We've got a very good blend. Certainly John [Russell] and I have something to prove. Steve's been there before, but he's very keen to build a team. He says that at the end of the day, a group of clever people are going to do better than one who's brilliant and I believe that. I'm genuinely excited about it."

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