Jaguar chief appeals to potential buyers

Jaguar boss David Pitchforth has warned that Formula One could miss out on a great team if his squad is allowed to fall by the wayside.

Parent company Ford have put Jaguar up for sale and unless a buyer is found soon, the team will be closed.

Discussions are underway with several potential buyers, but as yet no-one has committed to taking on the team, which began life as Stewart in 1997.

Two new teams are set to take to the grid in 2006, but Pitchforth believes an opportunity will have been missed if Jaguar closes.

He said: “We have a fantastic group of people working inside Jaguar Racing and their response to the announcement that the team is to be sold by Ford Motor Company has been nothing less than outstanding.

“This is a good team, potentially a great one, and the staff are one of the strongest assets.

“Together we see this as a challenge, one worth meeting head on, and we are confident that Jaguar Racing and our sister company Cosworth Racing will prove extremely attractive to buyers.”