With Mark Webber and Williams announcing their great news yesterday that they would be working together for the next few years, Jaguar Racing were left dejected, as one of the best things that has ever happened to them opted to join their rivals.
After two mutually successful and rewarding years with the team, Mark ahs left a lasting impression on the Milton Keynes based squad and will be sorely missed.…
“We have all enjoyed working with Mark over the past two years and the relationship that has developed between him and the team has been one of trust and mutual respect,” said David Pitchforth, who was hoping to retain the Aussie driver. ”We have all learned an incredible amount over these two seasons as Mark has grown as a driver while our racing package has developed to challenge for points.
However, they are well aware that the time has come for Mark to continue his progress and pursue race wins
“We understand his decision and respect it,” Pitchforth added. “I would like to thank him on behalf of Jaguar Racing, Cosworth Racing and Pi Research for his unwavering commitment to the team and we will monitor his progress to the top with great pleasure. When Mark wins his World Championship we will all be celebrating with the rest of them, proud to have helped him on his way. Mark will race with us until the end of this season, ensuring that we all continue to focus on fighting for more Championship points which we know we can achieve with our drivers and the Jaguar R5.”
Having first joined the team at the end of 2002, after a year with what was at the time, the KL Minardi Asiatech Formula One Team, Mark soon became a firm favourite with Jaguar Racing. Under newly-installed Managing Director, David Pitchforth, Mark and the team demonstrated clear improvement in 2003 with the team finishing 7th in the Constructors Championship and Mark 10th overall in the Driver’s Championship.
The 2004 challenger, the R5 has again allowed Mark to continue strengthening with the team while also sharing some strong results, most notably qualifying second alongside the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher at the Malaysian Grand Prix this year and deservedly finishing in an impressive 6th place at last weekend’s German Grand Prix – a race he started from 11th on the grid. It is with these results and progress in mind that Jaguar Racing thank Mark for his contribution to the team and wish him well in his pursuit of further success.
Mark will continue to race for Jaguar until the end of the 2004 season and will remain integral to the development of the Jaguar R5 until close of season.
“Jaguar is one of the most emotive and successful names in motor racing and one that I am incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to race for,” Mark said. “During the past two years I have had the pleasure to work with some amazingly talented people from whom I have been inspired and motivated. Formula One is a very, very tough environment in which to work and to do well in. But the camaraderie amongst the team and the efforts that the boys - both at the Jaguar Racing factory and at the track - go to is very, very special and I'd like to thank them for all their hard work.”
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