Jaguar denies Pizzonia problems

Jaguar has denied that Antonio Pizzonia's place is under threat after rumours that the team is unhappy with the Brazilian's performance. Pizzonia has not finished the first three races of the year, twice with mechanical problems and once by spinning off in poor conditions. The spin was in Brazil, at Turn 3, the wet track at the corner claiming six victims, including Michael Schumacher.

It was reported that Jaguar were considering replacing Pizzonia but a team spokesperson has rubbished the rumour: "I don't know where these stories emerge from, there is no truth in it," the source commented. "Pizzonia has only done three races, has had mechanical problems which have limited his running and which on one occasion stopped him from qualifying."

"He did a huge amount of testing for Williams last year and was as quick as the team's regular drivers. I think everyone in F1 has a fair idea how quick he is."

Pizzonia qualified fifteenth in Brazil but was hampered by problems. He was using the spare car while his race car was being repaired from a crash in the earlier session and was not particularly happy with the spare. Then in the race he fell foul to the watery trap at Turn 3.

"The long kink leading from turn two into turn three was laden with water and there was literally nothing I could do at that speed," Pizzonia explained. "The car hit the stream flowing across the track and after that, I was little more than a passenger."

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