Pizzonia on verge of losing Jaguar seat

The Brazilian has struggled to find form since making his debut this season, especially when compared to the impressive performance of team-mate Mark Webber.

"I don't think it is a great secret that Antonio's position is under review," Nav Sidhu, Jaguar's communications and public affairs manager told The Guardian. "There are a lot of things about his performance so far this year that are causing us concern. The level of disparity between his performance and those of his team-mate Mark Webber is alarming."

Sidhu said that the team will try to help him raise his form. "We are going to work through a structured programme with him," he said. "If he can climb the same hill as Webber then we're going to be happy with him."

Austrian Alex Wurz has emerged as the favourite to replace the Brazilian. Wurz not only has vast experience of a front-running team from his two and-a-half year stint testing for McLaren, but he is also a similar height to Webber. His chances of racing for Jaguar depend on whether Ron Dennis would be willing to release him from his contract, especially as the team nears the test debut of its new MP4-18A.