Jaguar Rule Out Fighting Top Teams

Jaguar launched on Sunday the 2004 Formula One car that they hope will bring in points right from the start of the season, but they are ruling out fighting the top teams.

"This year our aim is to compete with the Toyotas, the Saubers and the BARs," said team boss Tony Purnell as the car was unveiled at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya before an afternoon of testing at the track.

"We're not ready to go for the front guys, but I'd like to think we might put a little bit of pressure on the front guys as the season progresses."

Jaguar finished seventh overall in 2003 but looked more together as a team and Australian Mark Webber particularly impressed with strong qualifying performances.

This year he is teamed up with 20-year-old Austrian Christian Klien, who until two weeks ago had never been further from his home than Switzerland.

"If I have a bad day, hopefully he will be able to pick up the points that I missed out on," said Webber. "Last year I scored all bar one of the team's points and that killed us in the Championship. We have to score more points earlier in the season."

The season starts in Australia on March 7.