Wednesday January 26th, 2000

Jackie Stewart will continue to have some involvement with the Jaguar Racing team in 2000, says his son, Paul Stewart, who remains as chief operating officer of the team.

"He's already retired three times," said Paul. "Once from shooting, once from racing and now from being chairman and chief executive officer of a grand prix team! Each time he's done it, he's never gone off to a beach to sip cocktails. His definition of retirement is somewhat different from most people's. But I'm pleased for him that he's found a window of opportunity whereby he can step back."

Jackie Stewart himself clarrified that, "I don't want to leave the sport completely. "I love the sport, and I've got about as much passion for Jaguar as I do for the sport. But I don't want to be working the 18-19 hour days that I've been working for the last four years. I need more space in my life for my family.

"It's a good move for the company, because I cast a big shadow. I've actually been contemplating this since Ford bought the company last year. I think I need to move aside, as everybody does in due course, for other people to develop their skills properly and to think for themselves. But I'll still be in the factory every week, even if it's only two or three days. I'll be there if they need me."