Wilson pledges final push to retain Jag drive

The Briton switched to the famed marque for this year's German GP, and is fighting to keep his place in the team for next year. Wilson scored his first point in last weekend's race at Indianapolis, and is keen for a similar performance at Suzuka.

"My eighth in Indianapolis was a great boost for me and the team, and with a point in the bag I travelled to Japan in a positive mood," said Wilson. "As this is my last race for me with the team before a decision is taken for the driver line-up in 2004 I will of course be pushing every step of the way and doing my utmost to achieve another finish, and you never know, maybe even a point."

Jaguar is in the middle of an intense five-team battle for fifth spot in the Constructors' championship, and the final rewards that go with it. The British marque currently lies joint sixth in the standings with BAR with 18 points, one behind Sauber. Toyota (14 points) and Jordan (13) are also in the reckoning.

"To have found ourselves fighting for fifth at the end of the season is certainly not something we had imagined back in Melbourne," said managing director David Pitchforth. "We set out to achieve respect on-track in 2003 and having achieved this already, finishing fifth would be a bonus. However, it would be a huge boost in morale for us and of course an increase in budget so in these terms it is important for us to aim as high as possible."