Ford not ready to make '05 commitment

[Senna 0]

from planetf1.com:

Ford not ready to make '05 commitment

F1 team Jaguar is not about to be ditched by owners Ford.

At a recent principals' meeting, Bernie Ecclestone turned to Tony Purnell and asked him point-blank -- 'can you guarantee you'll still be here in 2005?'

The Jaguar boss replied: ''No, I can't.''

Since then, stories of carmaker Ford selling the grand prix outfit - perhaps to energy drink 'Red Bull' boss Dieter Mateschitz - have dominated the paddock.

But Purnell thinks the 'Cat still has eight or nine lives.

''I think you'll find we're ok,'' he said.

It emerged at the Hungaroring, though, that Jaguar had halted work on the '05 challenger and it wasn't just because next year's technical rules are unclear.

Speculation said Ford has not yet green-lighted the project.

But Tony Purnell insists reports of Jaguar's demise are nothing short of ''mischief making. Too much was made of that (Nurburgring) meeting,'' he added.

[webber 0]

the same thing happend back at the meeting befour this one. Jag will be here next year and most teames have stoed the 05 cars because of the rules.

[nojvnof1 0]

jag will be there. They'll struggle, but they'll be there.

[Senna 0]

But how long have they got left and what state are they likely to be in?

[AutoRacer5 0]

Heck, all they need is good sponsorship backing, with Becks and HSBC leaving, they could get even better sponsorship. heck, they can get more money they might be like BAR at the end of 03.

[webber 0]

Heck, all they need is good sponsorship backing, with Becks and HSBC leaving, they could get even better sponsorship. heck, they can get more money they might be like BAR at the end of 03.

its god to see somone who sees the bright side in things. and does not think the worst that every chance.

[Senna 0]

Heck, all they need is good sponsorship backing, with Becks and HSBC leaving, they could get even better sponsorship. heck, they can get more money they might be like BAR at the end of 03.

its god to see somone who sees the bright side in things. and does not think the worst that every chance.

Jaguar is loosing their star driver reputed by some to be the next Michael Schumacher, they have a tiny budget which restricts development and results in a weak package every year, Ford cannot give them assurances about their long-term commitment to F1, two major sponsors are leaving the team, they run Michelin tyres which are clearly the inferior choice, they are currently third to last in the WCC

[AutoRacer5 0]

well, if they had more commited sponors maybe they could get more development for better results...

[Shadow 0]

What Jaguar needs is financial backing. Just look at what they are spending compared to the big guns at the top. As for jaguar leaving I can't believe it( common guys, Minardi and Jordan are saying it year after year and they are still there are'nt they :!: )

[Senna 0]

What Jaguar needs is financial backing. Just look at what they are spending compared to the big guns at the top. As for jaguar leaving I can't believe it( common guys, Minardi and Jordan are saying it year after year and they are still there are'nt they :!: )

Jaguar is decidedly lacking a great many things with one significant thing being, as you rightly point out, financial backing. What they need is a strong title sponsor and more money from Ford.

Minardi and Jordan are proving to be surprisingly resilient but for how much longer? Paul S. said that he would sell Minardi if a good offer came his way and Eddie is reported to be looking at offers at the moment as well. Further more, these teams are hanging on in F1 by the skin of their teeth. Last year Jordan made an annual profit of

[Senna 0]

its god to see somone who sees the bright side in things. and does not think the worst that every chance.

Just a little more to add onto my earlier reply to Webber