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The new Jaguar R2 features
revised aerodynamics courtesy of Dr. Mark Handford. The
sidepods are the most noticeable change from last year's car.
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MILTON KEYNES, UK., 9 January, 2001 - Jaguar Racing today unveiled its new Formula One car for the 2001 FIA Formula One World Championship. The Jaguar R2 was launched at Jaguar's design and engineering
center at Whitley, Coventry, in the UK.
Speaking at the launch, Jaguar Racing CEO and Team Principal Bobby Rahal said, "We have experienced a challenging first year in the sport but implemented changes that we feel are necessary to deliver our objectives. Our aim this year is to achieve respectability and to continue to put in place the building blocks that we believe will deliver success in the long term. We are unswerving in our ultimate goal which remains to challenge for World Championship
honors."
Rahal, three time CART Champion and appointed to his new position at Jaguar Racing on 1st December 2000 outlined the team's driver line up for the 2001 season. Eddie Irvine will race alongside 25-year old Brazilian Luciano Burti who graduates from his previous position as Jaguar Racing development driver during 2000. Burti impressed the team with a mature and determined drive in the 2000 Austrian Grand Prix when he stood in for Eddie Irvine.
20-year old South African and son of 1979 World Champion Jody, Tomas Scheckter, graduates from a successful season with the Stewart Racing Formula Three team to become Jaguar Racing's Formula One development driver for 2001.
The new Jaguar R2 Formula One car was unveiled by Eddie Irvine, Luciano Burti, Chief Designer John Russell and Chief Aerodynamicist Mark Handford. Responsibility for the development of the R2 during the 2001 season will be led by Steve Nichols who joined the team on 1st December 2000 in the position of Technical Director.
Rahal also launched the Jaguar Racing F3 team, which in its previous guise as Stewart Racing Formula Three raced to numerous victories and also operated as an academy of driving talent successfully propelling such drivers as Tomas Scheckter and Luciano Burti into Formula One. Rahal announced that the Jaguar Racing F3 drivers competing in the 2001 British Formula Three Championship would be 19-year old German Andre Lotterer - recently voted as Germany's junior rookie driver of 2000 by the readers of Motor Sport Aktuell magazine - and 20-year old Australian James Courtney.
Jonathan Browning, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars added his comments. "These are exciting times for Jaguar and I am constantly reminded of the passion and enthusiasm for the Formula One
program by our whole workforce. By competing in the highest level of motorsport we are clearly demonstrating that 'performance spirit' is one of Jaguar's core brand values and we will be delivering products which reflect this quality."
"Mid-way through this year we will launch our exciting new X-TYPE all-wheel drive compact sports saloon which will double the size of the company. We have also announced our intention to enter the global sports car segment in 2004 with our fabulous F-TYPE roadster which will take the company to a five model line up."
Jaguar Racing has conducted an intensive period of winter testing prior to the 2001 season with a hybrid R1'B' chassis. The R1'B' mates the rear suspension and new generation Cosworth CR3 engine to the front end of the 2000 season R1 leaving the team in a better state of preparation than in 2000.
Bobby Rahal also announced that a new major partner for the team for 2001 will be AT&T, the global communications solutions company.
Michelin also joins Jaguar Racing with the supply and co-development of
tires for the new Jaguar R2. The team's major partners HSBC, HP, Beck's and Lear Corporation continue their association, along with long-standing technology partners, Unigraphics Solutions and Texaco.
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