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PROFILE
Jaguar is really just a renamed version
of Stewart Grand Prix, as most of the personnel from
Stewart are still in place in the team. When Stewart
first entered F1 in 1997, they had backing that all
other new team owners would sell their mother for, as
they had a works Ford engine deal.
The first year, despite good qualifying performances,
was not very remarkable, as the car was unreliable.
Rubens Barrichello wanted a fresh start, and so moved
to the team, partnering Jan Magnussen. Barrichello scored
the team's first podium finish at a wet Monaco Grand
Prix, coming in second place.
1998 was a worse year for the team, with a poor car,
that saw off Jan Magnussen, and when Jos Verstappen
took his place, and did no better, people began to question
the car. 1999 was by far their best season, with their
first win thanks to Johnny Herbert at the European Grand
Prix. This allowed the team to finish 4th in the constructors'
championship, ahead of Williams.
It was announced towards the end of the season that
Jackie Stewart had sold his team to Ford, and Ford subsequently
announced the team was to be rebadged Jaguar. It seemed
that everything was in place to challenge for race wins,
with 1999 runner-up Eddie Irvine joining Johnny Herbert.
In fact, Jaguar made the same mistake as BAR, and publicised
how they were going to challenge the top two teams -
the reality was somewhat different.
4 points was all the team could manage, as poor reliablity
in the first half of the season, and then simple uncompetitiveness
ruined their hopes. In fact, many people would say that
Jaguar was the biggest let down of the year. 9th in
the constructors' championship was their reward, the
last points scoring team on the table.
Johnny Herbert decided to end his F1 career in favour
of CART, after his usual unlucky season - Luciano Burti,
who stood in for an ill Irvine will take his seat next
year, and, if the team works hard enough on the problems
they had this year, they will be able to challenge Ferrari
and McLaren some of the time in the next season.
WEB
SITE
http://www.jaguar-racing.com
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