Webber signs for Williams

Webber joined Jaguar from Minardi at the end of 2002, and the former Renault test driver made a major impact with the team. Although race results continued to prove illusive for the Milton Keynes-based team, Webber put its R4 chassis in the top 10 on seven occasions, with a best of third in Hungary, and scored 17 or Jaguar's 18 constructors' championship points.

His move to Williams comes as no surprise as, although he signed a long-term extension to his initial Jaguar deal, the performance clauses it needed to provide to him were not met as it lies eighth in the constructors' championship.

"I have now made the decision to move on for 2005 and look to progress my career with my new team BMW-WilliamsF1," said Webber. "I am looking forward to the new challenges next year but for the remainder of this season I will be doing nothing other than focusing on what more I can achieve here [at Jaguar]."

"During the past two years I have had the pleasure to work with some amazingly talented people from whom I have been inspired and motivated. Formula 1 is a very, very tough environment in which to work and to do well in. But the camaraderie amongst the team and the efforts that the boys - both at the Jaguar Racing factory and at the track - go to is very, very special and I'd like to thank them for all their hard work.

"The R4 last year was a good foundation from which I learnt a lot and then the Jaguar R5 this year has again been a step up in the right direction. The team is incredibly focused on the task ahead and I can honestly say that in all my racing years I have never been as close to a team as I have been here with Jaguar Racing."

Team principal David Pitchforth said: "We have all enjoyed working with Mark over the past two years and the relationship that has developed between him and the team has been one of trust and mutual respect. We have all learned an incredible amount over these two seasons as Mark has grown as a driver while our racing package has developed to challenge for points. Mark has now reached a stage where he needs to continue this progress and pursue race wins. We understand his decision and respect it.

"When Mark wins his world championship we will all be celebrating with the rest of them, proud to have helped him on his way. Mark will race with us until the end of this season, ensuring that we all continue to focus on fighting for more championship points which we know we can achieve with our drivers and the Jaguar R5."