DECEMBER 14, 2001

Jaguar strengthens its management team

NIKI LAUDA's revamping of the Jaguar Racing Formula 1 team continues with two new key appointments. While the team's operational activities will be overseen by Gunther Steiner, the various organisational elements involved will now come under the control of Sir John Allison, who has been named has Director of Strategic Services for the Premier Performance Division, Jaguar Racing's parent body.

Allison is a former Air Chief Marshal with the Royal Air Force who joined Jaguar after finishing a distinguished service career as Commander-in-Chief of the RAF's Logistics Command. Allison is a keen restorer of vintage cars and the father of James Allison, who works as an aerodynamicist for Ferrari.

In recent year's Allison Sr hit the headlines after he emerged unscathed after crashing a World War II German Messerschmitt 109 fighter after the plane suffered an engine failure.

Jaguar Racing has also taken on a new Commercial Director, Canadian Keith Smouth having joined the team from BAR. Smouth cut his teeth in Canada's National Hockey League.