Jaguar are pulling out of F1

[Kicking-back]

The Jaguars will still be produced in the West Midlands, just not in Coventry.

[Armco Bender]

Not for long if the bosses in the US have their way.

[Kicking-back]

I listened to the full news conference at work today, and that issue was raised and dismissed.

[GTRMagic]

Originally posted by Matt_S
From Crash.net:

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart remains confident that his team will be able to reach an agreement over its engine supplies for next season, despite today's announcement.

“Minardi has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Cosworth Racing over the years, and in light of today's announcement, we will be working closely with Cosworth representatives to find a workable solution regarding engine supply arrangements for next season,” he said. “We are confident of being able to arrive at a suitable arrangement.”

“On a personal note, all of us at Minardi have been saddened by today's news, but fully understand the economic realities involved in competing in this sport as it is currently structured. Our best wishes go out to all the staff involved, many of whom are personal friends as well as work colleagues.”

There is a possibility that Stoddart takes over Cosworth, the money is likely around and about if it was necessary.

Is this the house of cards at Ford falling down? The closure of Browns Lane is bad enough, but WRC is also shutting down from all accounts.

All driven by the poor financial performance of the business after Jac Nasser had a go at running it

[Adam43]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
The Jaguars will still be produced in the West Midlands, just not in Coventry.

Not Coventry. They are not moving their non-Jaguar brands (the Ford ones). The proper saloons and GT cars.

Also I don't have slippers or a pipe, but I love Jaguars.

[Adam43]

Slippers and Pipe?

[Armco Bender]

The sun finally sets on the (once) great British car industry.

[fast95pony]

This is very sad news.
But does this mean Ford will finally spend some money and figure out why the exhaust heat shield on my 3 year old Focus has cracked and fallen off three times ??

[mountainstar]

Very sad, but I always felt it was a mess from the beginning with jaguar F1.

Who knows this could be the best thing that ever happened to the former Jag team if it's bought out by a decent owner. But with cosworth on the market, where will they get engines?

[MRJUCY]

I'm extremely disappointed to see Jag & Ford leave. I can understand them selling the team but I think they are mad for selling Cosworth because if they used just part of the money they were spending on the team on Cosworth they could come out with a gun engine & be a supplier to another team also Ford & other companies use Cosworth for there engines do are they going to give up on all those catagories too?

[pole2pole]

Is this news going to send shock waves through f1? Who will be next to pull the plug?

[Lotusonpole]

Sad indeed.
I hope all Jag employees both cars and F1 team find new employment quickly.

Bernie says there may be an up-side to this...ever the optimist...he says if Jordan and Minardi go too, due to lack of engines, the bigger teams would run three cars next year.
Fine as a makeshift...but in the quest for cheaper costs, would this not make it even more expensive for new potential teams wanting to enter F1?

Seems to defeat the object somewhat.

Cheers
Peter

[djinvicta]

I would like to think EJ is built of stronger stuff. If anyone thinks he is going to lay down and give up, think again. True of Paul Stoddart too. These guys have suffered and beat all odds to carry on over the last few years. If EJ sells to whoever, he will still be Top Man for a few years and in the pit lane with his views. Hes a racer through and through, and I think hes known or had his doubts re Ford longer than we have. Watch this space. These people are professionals at raising dough and sponsors; he isnt going anywhere for a couple of years. Then he will retire and enjoy a beer or two with Irve the Swerve, and grin at us all. Long live privateers!!

[joe rossi]

If, as is said, Cosworth is a profitable company I don't see it having trouble finding a buyer. The new buyer will then I guess want to keep the revenue flow and continue to supply engines to whoever wants them.

On another note relating to a previous post (Adams?) about the take over of Stewart, wasn't it originally intended that Paul Stewart would be running the show, but then he had to give it up due to his illness? From what I remember, Jackie Stewart wasn't forced out, he didn't want to be involved day to day anyway. It was obvious that all the following management changes just compounded the problem.

[PaulSands]

It's probably been said already (I've been away) but when Ford are shutting Jag plants in the UK I don't really see how they could justify continuing, especially with the level of F1 underachievement