Jaguar work on speed plan

The Jaguar Formula 1 team are making dramatic contingency plans to solve their new car's lack of pace

Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa could only qualify 19th and 20th at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix last weekend. Although the Ulsterman lucked into a fourth place finish in the race, Jaguar insiders are highly concerned at the new R3's performance.

Work will be carried out back at the Jaguar factory to evaluate whether the team should continue with the R3 or revert to a developed version of last year's R2. They will look into the possibility of switching a new mechanical power steering system on to the old car, which had electronic power steering fitted last year. The Electronic systems have been banned from F1 for this season.

If they can fit the power steering device, Jaguar may choose to run last year's R2 in races at some point this year. The old car was used during pre-season testing and a developed version of the racer could be an alternative to the R3. The new car is said to have fundamental aerodynamic and chassis stiffness problems.

For the full story and Jaguar boss Niki Lauda's viewpoint on the performance crisis, read this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, on sale Thursday.