Interview with Jaguar's Pitchforth

Jaguar managing director David Pitchforth comments on the team's progress and expectations for the British Grand Prix.

Q: Jaguar Racing has climbed to sixth place in the FIA Official Constructors' standings after securing points on three consecutive occasions. With just one point separating you from BAR, is fifth place now an achievable goal?

"We are always aspiring to do better, but we are of course not the only ones. All of the teams on the grid are improving their cars and we have to bear this in mind. Our aim is to continue developing the R4 whilst maintaining reliability through the remainder of the season and should this bring more points then we will be achieving our goal of continuous progress."

"We have to remember that where we were with the R3 at the end of last year and where we are now with the R4 is down to the hard work by the team both at the factory and at Cosworth Racing and Pi Research. We have focused on basic engineering practices and with that in mind we will continue to chase for points and of course aim to move up the grid".

Q: With only six races remaining on the 2003 F1 calendar and the current progress being made by the team, have your expectations for the team changed since the first race in Melbourne, Australia.

"We started the season with one goal and I do not honestly believe that the goal posts have moved. We want to achieve respectability on track and I like to think that we are making in-roads to that effect. I expect the team to achieve that yes, but as with most goals it will not be achieved overnight. The team are working hard and we are being rewarding for these efforts, although we are under no illusion that with six races ahead of us we still have a long way to go before we can confirm that we have realised our expectations".

Q: Fresh from dominant performances at both the Nurburgring and Magny-Cours, Michelins recent performance suggests that they have made huge progress in their tyre developments. Is this a major contributing factor to the R4's newfound competitiveness?

"We have a very good relationship with Michelin and it helps that our styles are very similar, we both believe in and work to strong engineering practices. There is no doubt that the improvement made by Michelin since the start of the season is being transferred to the R4. It is all about teamwork and as we learn more about how the tyres work we learn more about the R4."

"The tyres must work with the chassis and vice versa, that is why we work so closely with our partners. The compounds that Michelin have been providing are very good and quite often where we are missing data on tracks, we will trust Michelin to provide us with a recommendation. These factors without a doubt provide a good foundation for us to move forward with the R4 and chase with the rest of the midfielders for points"

Q: Looking ahead to Silverstone, Jaguar Racing's home grand prix, will there be added pressure to perform and at a track that is notorious for its high-speed corners and long straights will you be expecting to chase for more points?

"Home races are always exciting and of course there is to some extent added pressure, if only because we put it on ourselves. After looking at recent performances at home races, I know that the team are keen to make it to the finish line and give the fans something to cheer for. The home races are one of the few opportunities that we have to showcase our wares to the locals who support us year in year out and of course we don't want to let them down. If there are points to be taken we hope to be in a position to do the taking".

-jaguar-