APRIL 28, 2002

PPD or PPD?

The Formula 1 paddock is not a kind place and over the weekend in Spain there was much speculation about the future of the Jaguar Racing team.

THE Formula 1 paddock is not a kind place and over the weekend in Spain there was much speculation about the future of the Jaguar Racing team. The Ford Motor Company says it is 100% behind the project and there was a clear sign of this as Jackie Stewart was back again in team gear at the behest of the men in Dearborn. For the moment, at least, JYS is there solely to charm sponsors but there have been rumblings that Stewart could one day be put back in charge of the team he founded and then sold to Ford.

The lack of success in recent months has led cynics to suggest that the team's parent company, the Premier Performance Division should be renamed the Premier Participation Division. This is not really fair as considerable work is being done to improve the Jaguar performance. The initial aim is to beat Arrows, the Cosworth customer which is currently outperforming the factory-backed team.