Formula 1

Japanese GP: Jaguar preview

After another points finish in Indianapolis (US) Jaguar Racing travel to contest the final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, to be held in Suzuka (Japan). Both Mark Webber (27) and Justin Wilson (25) are focused on the challenge ahead ...

Published: Oct 3, 2003, 8:57 PM

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After another points finish in Indianapolis (US) Jaguar Racing travel to contest the final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, to be held in Suzuka (Japan). Both Mark Webber (27) and Justin Wilson (25) are focused on the challenge ahead and will be looking to make the most of any opportunity to add to the point's tally that currently places Jaguar in a position to contest for fifth in the Constructors Championship.

After achieving their 2003 goals of respect on-track the team are excited to be where they are after a season of highs as well as occasional lows. Suzuka certainly promises to be entertaining for the spectators and exhilarating for the drivers. With everything to play for and nothing to lose, the team is ready for this year's final performance!

David Pitchforth - Managing Director:

"To have found ourselves fighting for fifth at the end of the 2003 season is certainly not something we had imagined back in Melbourne (Australia). We have come further than we had envisaged and it is all due to the hard work and on-going determination of the team and our partners, Michelin, Cosworth Racing and Pi Research. Justin's point in Indianapolis was a great achievement considering the conditions and I know that we all travel to Japan positive as well as excited.

We set out to achieve respect on-track in 2003 and having achieved this already, finishing fifth would be a bonus. However, it would be a huge boost in morale for us and of course an increase in budget so in these terms it is important for us to aim for as high as possible. The weekend promises to be a challenge, but one that we are prepared for. I know that both Mark and Justin are looking forward to getting back on-track and the team are focused on what we have to do."

Mark Webber:

"The last race of the season already and the fight is still on. It's exciting to have come this far and to have seen the team improve so much over the past eight months. Suzuka is not going to be an easy race for us by any standard but as always in true Jaguar Racing style all hands will be on deck to make sure that we are in the best possible place to secure any points. I finished tenth here last year and I quite enjoy the track. I will be looking for a good qualifying session, as this was where we were let down in Indianapolis. Again weather conditions will come in to play however, after the changing conditions in Indy we are pretty much prepared for anything."

"At the moment I am actually in Australia and I will be travelling to Japan early next week. Despite being out of the country I have been keeping in touch with my race engineer and the rest of the team. There is everything to play for next weekend and I can't wait to get back behind the wheel and this time hopefully finish the race!"

Justin Wilson:

My eighth finish in Indianapolis (US) was a great boost for me and the team, and with a point in the bag I travelled direct to Japan in a positive mood. I have been spending some time here with the team physio working on my fitness and also learning more about the track. I have never been to Suzuka so again this will be a challenging weekend for me, but of course, Friday testing helps me and certainly takes some of the pressure off in time for qualifying. I will be looking to place myself as high as possible in qualifying but as always, race strategy is so important and this is a key focus for us."

"As this is the last race for me with the team before a decision is taken for the driver line-up in 2004 I will of course be pushing every step of the way and doing my utmost to achieve another finish, and you never know, maybe even a point!"

-jaguar-

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