Red Bull targets Jaguar

Jaguar has had a disastrous 2002 campaign with its R3 and rumours that Ford may be losing patience with the team were circulating long before the Blue Oval signed a three-year deal with Jordan.

High level sources within Jaguar feel that the Ford deal is a betrayal because it gives the team little chance of recovery - and little sign of ultimate support. The fresh doubts about the team's future have affected morale and will also make it less likely sponsors will commit for the long-term.

One potential route to rescue Jaguar's future could be Mateschitz's plan for an All-American F1 Team. Mateschitz is no longer interested in buying Arrows and he held talks with Niki Lauda and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone at last weekend's Hungarian GP.

Although reports that he wants to buy the team outright are thought to be wide of the mark, sources indicate he wants to form an official alliance with Ford and invest in the outfit. Talks are due to take place with Ford's senior management in Detroit over the next few weeks.

However, group Vice-President Richard Parry-Jones denied that Ford were intending to sell the team. "Ford Motor Company is not in negotiation and is not planning on the sale of Jaguar Racing," he said.

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