Webber Aims to Improve Race Performances

Australian Mark Webber says his Jaguar team's goal for the 2004 season is to score more points than they did in 2003.

Webber, who joined the Ford-owned squad at the start of 2003, had an impressive season and went on to score 17 points on his way to tenth position in the Drivers' Championship. Jaguar finished in seventh place in the constructors' standings with 18 points.

In 2003, the Australian was especially strong in qualifying, and he is now looking to be stronger in the races.

"This year we will have to work on our race performances as they have been a weaker area for us in the past," said Webber. "In qualifying we did pretty well and I really enjoyed that part of it but you have to take that on to the race if you want to score good points and that is going to be as difficult as ever.

"The rule allowing just one engine means that people may struggle for reliability in the first few races and we have to be ready to capitalise when those opportunities come along. A good start will also give us momentum throughout the year, which we will need if we are to keep moving forward.

"Basically we need to see good progression and grab more points than we did in 2003"

The Jaguar driver debuted the new R5, which was launched today at Barcelona, at the Lommel testing facility in Belgium last week and said he was pleased with the initial performance.

"I had the opportunity to straight-line test the car in Lommel last week and the initial results were pleasing," said Webber.

Jaguar will begin testing the new R5 this afternoon at Barcelona.