Formula 1: More new faces at Jaguar

Jaguar have today continued their behind-the-scenes reshuffle with the appointment of two new aerodynamicists.

After Wolfgang Reitzle’s resignation as president of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group - which runs Jaguar Racing - team chief Niki Lauda has moved quickly to bolster the ailing squad.

Jaguar’s new R3 car has struggled so far this season after a fundamental design flaw in the front wing hampered pre-season development.

Mark Gillan has joined from McLaren, along with Peter Matchin from Arrows, and both will immediately set about the task of improving the car’s aerodynamics.

Lauda said: ‘‘The only way we are going to take a major step forward this season will be through significant aerodynamic improvements.

‘‘Wind tunnel work is extremely scientific in nature and the results from this meticulous work take time to generate.

‘‘Our new head of aerodynamics Ben Agathangelou starts next week and in addition we will have two new aerodynamicists joining us within the next fortnight.

‘‘Dr Mark Gillan will be joining us from McLaren International and Peter Matchin will join us from Arrows.

‘‘Both men will bring with them a new and experienced technical dimension to Jaguar Racing that will help accelerate our development path.’’

The team’s new wind tunnel in Bicester, which opened two weeks ago, is now operating 16 hours a day as Jaguar bid to close the gap between them and the front-running teams.

Irishman Eddie Irvine has scored Jaguar’s only points of the season so far, finishing fourth in Australia after half the field were wiped out in a first-corner accident.