Lotterer Gets Jaguar Test Job, Irvine Wanted Burti

Jaguar named German Andre Lotterer on Friday as the Formula One team's official test driver for 2002. But Eddie Irvine revealed at the launch of the new R3 car that he had hoped Luciano Burti might be lured back before the Brazilian joined World Champions Ferrari.

"It's a shame we couldn't get him (Burti). I spoke to Niki (Lauda) about trying to get him to be our test driver for this year," the Northern Irish driver said. "It was a big loss and it's a big gain for Ferrari because he's one of the best guys I've ever worked with technically.

"I think he's a very clever young driver, a very good test driver."

Burti was Jaguar's test driver in 2000 before briefly graduating to the main team in 2001. He then moved to Prost to make way for Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa. The Brazilian collided with Irvine at the Belgian Grand Prix last September, striking a tyre barrier with massive impact and missing the rest of the season as he recuperated from severe concussion.

He agreed last month to become Ferrari's second test driver, working with Italian Luca Badoer, after being recommended to the team by compatriot Rubens Barrichello.

Lotterer, 20, was a part-time tester for Jaguar last season and also competed in British Formula Three. The German will now be the team's full-time test driver, though Irvine and de la Rosa will do most of the development work.

"It's very important for the team to have a test driver and for me to develop the car and make myself ready to race in case something happens to one of the other drivers," Lotterer said.