Sunday April 23rd, 2000

The Jaguar Formula One team made more of a splash off the track than on it at their British Grand Prix debut on Sunday.

Hoardings in the green and white colours of the British team, celebrated for their past successes in the Le Mans 24 Hours race, lined the walls of the main straight past the pits and the top of the main grandstand.

The main footbridge crossing the pits straight was painted in British Racing Green, with the leaping cat symbols and brand name, while the team's opulent hospitality unit in the paddock demanded attention with its huge chrome Jaguar leaping from the roof.

Guests inside were even offered miniature chocolate Jaguar Formula One cars to celebrate Easter in style.

But out on the track, drivers Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine limped home in 12th and 13th places respectively.

The Ford-owned team have yet to score a point.

Irvine's problems were compounded by an agonisingly slow 25.4 second pitstop after his engine cut out.

"I'm very disappointed because I thought after Imola we would come here believing we would take another step forward and seriously challenge for points," said Irvine, who started in the spare car after his original one was damaged in a collision in Saturday's practice.

"I had another clutch problem at the start similar to Imola which is something we have to sort out.

"As for the second pit stop I engaged neutral and the engine just cut out. It could be that it is related to the new pit limiter system but we have yet to fully investigate it.

"In a way we are fighting with one hand tied behind our backs because we don't have enough wind tunnel time to sort out the handling of the car. Overall though I'm encouraged because we are moving in the right direction."

Gary Anderson, the team's technical director, summed it up: "Not a very good day at the office really."