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Jaguar Racing focuses on Austria

Jaguar Racing scored its first championship points at the Spanish Grand Prix with just one car running and is hoping to double its chances in Austria next weekend, by getting both of them off the grid. The team thinks it has identified the root cause of the problem that left Antonio Pizzonia stranded at the start, only to be shunted into by championship leader Kimi Raikkonen

"Our testing at Paul Ricard has confirmed to us that the launch control issue that Antonio suffered in Barcelona was not a driver issue," admits Jaguar Racing MD David Pitchforth. "We have spent much time working on this area both on the track and here at the factory in our Vehicle Science Department and believe that we have located the root cause.

"A1-Ring poses several set-up challenges with tyre management being of paramount importance - particularly important given the new qualifying and race format for this season. The three long straights will reward our Cosworth CR5 V10 powerplant and the two remaining sections place great emphasis on aerodynamic capability. Put another way, the A1-Ring forces you to make a compromise on set-up to achieve the quickest lap time."

Mark Webber's season has gone from strength to strength. The Australian driver negotiated an extension to his contract with the team last week, through to the end of 2005, and is obviously happy in his current situation.

"We completed a lot of preparatory work in advance of Austria and I am keen to get out onto the track this Friday morning to confirm much of what we have tested," said Webber. "There is no easy competition on the grid this season and it's critical that we maintain the momentum. We began the season with respectability in mind and I'd like to think that we are on the right path now."

With Mark Webber extending his contract the pressure on Pizzonia to up his game only increases. The Brazilian driver admits the A1-Ring is not a track he knows well, so he will have his work cut out for him this weekend.

"The Paul Ricard test last weekend went very well and I managed a good amount of mileage last Friday," he said. "I am looking forward to the A1-Ring and although it is not a circuit I know well, I am encouraged by the durability of the car and am therefore aiming to start and finish the race.

"A car with Michelin tyres was on the front row of the grid last year and we are hopeful about tyre potential this weekend. Austria is a low grip track, very different to Barcelona, and it has some good overtaking opportunities in turns two and three.

"To be honest I am looking forward to finishing and if we can grab some points along the way then all the better."

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