Rahal Praises his Drivers

Jaguar driver Eddie Irvine deserved a lot better last season and he was let down by the team, said new chief executive officer Bobby Rahal.

After a dismal debut season with the Milton Keynes-based team, Irvine scored only four points and finished in thirteen position in the Drivers' Championship.

The Ulsterman was criticised for some members of the paddock due to the lack of performance, but Rahal believes Irvine did his best all year and only his equipment was to blame for the poor results.

"Eddie Irvine was given a lot of grief last season but the truth was that he wasn't given the equipment to do the job everybody knew he could do," Rahal said.

"He knew it was a new team but wanted to do well. I know for a fact he never stopped trying right up until the end of the season and his performances in Malaysia and Japan showed that.

"The team let him down badly," he added, "and hopefully the changes we are making will make things different. We need, and will, give him the car he needs to do well next year."

Rahal, who joined Jaguar at the end of the 2000 season, decided to replace technical director Gary Anderson last week, and signed Steve Nichols to replace him.

The American also praised Irvine's new teammate Luciano Burti, who was the team's test driver last season.

"Luciano is an unknown quantity but if you look at his history he has more than matched Jenson Button throughout," Rahal said. "There is no reason why he can't do that again in Formula One.

"He can be as good as Jenson, I never doubt it. He's got so much enthusiasm and motivation that I know he will be good for the team and for the sport."