Jaguar dump Irvine & de la Rosa (merged)

[f1manoz]

That's a strong line-up Jag have for next year. Now all they need is a decent chassis and a strong engine and things will progress nicely.

[woodbine]

Personally I think Antonio will do better in qualifying than in the races. As several people have said he was fast straight away in the Jag test so finding the speed with no-one else around shouldn't be too hard. The races will be a different matter, after all he hasn't exactly set the F3000 world alight this year has he?

[903cc]

I think this will be interesting. I was surprised that Pizza boy (i am too lazy to look up the spelling) was chosen. That was left field.

[BootsOntheSide]

Its a serious gamble, maybe a good one, but I've got my doubts as Irvine has done a lot for the car's development and is a natural leader, whereas Pizzonia still has a lot to learn although he's done well for Williams. Irvine and Webber would have been my choice lineup.

[Super Tourer]

I think Lauda needed to go for broke this year, if they don't make a serious impact next season, Ford will can the team IMO.

Irv didn't have anything left to bring to the party, you can't be undisputed No 1 driver for 3 years with the team making no progress, without shouldering your share of the responsibility. Pedro has faded badly this year and obviously just kept his head down and didn't provide much input for the team.

Pizzonia will bring some real speed to the team to keep Webber on his toes, whilst Mark has shown well in the Minardi and is a good finisher.

One of the most positive things Lauda has done IMO.

[Down F0rce]

yeah, see ya later Irvine. dont let the door hit you on the way out.

Webber & Pizzonia will make a good team. Shame about Perdo though, i hope he find a seat somewhere.

[Sato san]

its got to make sense....the money they pay Irvine is massive !.....and i know he is a really good driver , but for most of the season i he just didnt look like he could be bothered , at least now they are going to have 2 drivers that will be committed .

[Jordi]

It's a gamble. If the car is not good, Webber and Pizzonia will suffer...

Lauda kicked Rahal out of Jaguar with Irvine's help, now he kicks Irvine and Pedro, ironic...

He covered his ass, though. If results don't come, Lauda will be able to say it's because of the inexperienced drivers...

[Mekola]

Jordi, you read the note in the spanish version of F1-Live, too.

[senna12]

I had a gut feeling after his impressive test that Antonio would get the drive, and when it came to be known that the Pedro camp and the Irvine camp were incommunicado, I felt they would both have to go.

But as has been stated before, a lot of Jags' problems go back to the Rahal canning, and they way it came about. Perhaps with part of the problem gone, namely Eddie, the team will turn its' focus away from Niki's management style, and onto the car.

[Nicholas]

Jaguar's still boring, I don't care who's driving for them. Well maybe some sympathy. The only thing they can do is giving people the sack... I hope Webber and Pizzeria will be able to move on soon before they do a de la Rosa.

[Valve Bounce]

I think Jaguar needed two good development drivers as well as racers, and I think the two new recruits are just that. They certainly couldn't do much worse than their predecessors. I have a feeling that Jaguars fortunes are about to change.

[Jordi]

Originally posted by Mekola
Jordi, you read the note in the spanish version of F1-Live, too.

(For you, Mekola): Si, pero lo que dije ya lo pensaba semanas antes de que echaran a los pilotos...

(For everyone else): Yes, but I thought what I wrote weeks ago, before drivers were kicked out...

[jetsetter]

This is great news for Webber who has proven himself in the Minardi this year & for Pizzonia who is a driver with potential. I don't think Jaguar have anything to lose as they were hardly a force with the pairing they had this year & it's good to see them give some young talent a go & build a competitve team rather than regurgitate older drivers who are towards the end of their career.