Jaguar completes 2002 testing

The Jaguar Racing team rounded off its testing programme for 2002 with a weekend of differing fortunes in Jerez, Spain. After struggling to put significant miles on the clock in the revised R3C package on Thursday and Friday, Mark Webber traded chassis' with team-mate Antonio Pizzonia for the weekend.

The greater reliability of the regular R3 chassis enabled the Australian to complete a substantial 95 laps on Saturday and a further 53 on Sunday -- Webber finishing a satisfying second fastest on each occasion.

Webber's productive time on the track was tainted, however, by the ongoing hitches with the R3C chassis equipped with the new 90 degree V10 engine. Pizzonia sat out most of Saturday in the pits and managed only 17 laps of the circuit on the final day before further technical problems stunted his progress.

"Both Mark and I have had a frustrating two days with the R3C and it's something that the team is working hard on. We understand the issue and together with Cosworth, the team is addressing the matter in time for the next session at Jerez on January 7," commented Pizzonia.

"On the upside, I have managed to clock up substantial mileage in the regular chassis evaluating tyre compounds and aerodynamics. I have learned a lot about the car and my new team over the last three tests and am now looking forward to the new year."

The drivers now have valuable time to relax with friends and family over Christmas and the New Year before testing kicks off on January 6.

-jaguar-