Jaguar issue Webber warning

Jaguar Racing have told their Formula One rivals to keep their hands off Mark Webber.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit are desperate to retain the services of the Australian who has been linked with Williams.

Webber is high on the list of candidates to replace Juan Pablo Montoya when the Colombian switches from Williams to McLaren in 2005.

“Everyone keeps saying Williams are going to ring up. They haven’t,” said Jaguar boss Tony Purnell at the launch of the R5 car in Barcelona today.

“It’s up to us to show him that this team is worth sticking with. We definitely would like to keep him and we’ve already got an agreement to keep Mark in 2005.

“We’ve got some contractual things that are on our side. The atmosphere he brings is very positive, he feels part of the team.”

Webber has been a revelation since finishing fifth on his debut with Minardi in the 2002 season opener in Australia.

The 27-year-old scored all bar one of Jaguar’s 18 points last season when he also qualified as high as third.

Such performances have inevitably brought the link to Williams while Webber, who is managed by Renault boss Flavio Briatore, has also been rumoured to be heading to the French car giant.

“We’ve got to do a good job,” said Jaguar’s managing director David Pitchforth.

“If we can produce a racing car that does a good job and is worthy of Mark Webber then there’s not a problem in that direction.”

Webber, who during the off-season led a 10-day trek across Tasmania that raised thousands of pounds for children’s charities in Australia, is shrugging off speculation about his future.

“What’s important here and what you have to remember is that the Jaguar team has been phenomenal for Mark Webber and I am very, very committed to them until 2005,” said Webber, who will be partnered by Austrian rookie Christian Klien this year.

“If various other teams are quite happy with what has happened then that is a nice pat on the back but this game is one of the most fickle sports in the world so I’m not waking up thinking about the big teams each day.

“Yes, Mark Webber wants to win grands prix and that might be difficult to do in the next two years. We have to look at all scenarios and Jaguar of course is there.”

Webber rolled-out the R5 today but Jaguar’s hopes of beginning to rack up the test miles in the car were hampered by am engine problem after just a few installation laps at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Jaguar bosses know they are unlikely to frighten the top four teams this year but are looking to improve on last season’s seventh spot.

“If we improve on last season we would all be very happy,” added Purnell.

“If we could finish fifth then that would be a magnificent achievement.”