The Jaguar R3 is a Formula One racing car with which Jaguar Racing competed in the 2002 season. Launched on 4 January 2002, it was driven by Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa, both retained from 2001, and a B Specification car named the R3B appeared at the 2002 British Grand Prix.
Jaguar R3 at a glance
| Team | Jaguar Racing |
|---|---|
| Season | 2002 Formula One World Championship |
| Launched | 4 January 2002 |
| Drivers | Eddie Irvine, Pedro de la Rosa |
| Engine | Cosworth, run on BP fuel and Castrol lubricant |
| Updated car | R3B, from the 2002 British Grand Prix |
| Championship | 7th in the Constructors’ Championship |
| Points | 8, all scored by Irvine |
| Best result | third place at Monza |
| Later use | still raced in BOSS GP |
based on one source
History of the Jaguar R3
A late engine change
The R3 was designed around Texaco fuel and Havoline lubricants, but Chevron suddenly withdrew from the sport. Jaguar secured a late deal with BP and Castrol in early January 2002, leaving Cosworth little time to redesign and recalibrate the engine for the new fuel and lubricants. The car was the first Jaguar Formula One design to run on BP fuel.
The 2002 season
After two disappointing seasons, 2002 was worse for Jaguar. The team admitted to a number of mistakes, especially in the wind tunnel, where its calculations had been wrong. A fortunate fourth place at the attritional Australian Grand Prix was followed by poor reliability and a lack of horsepower, and the team slipped down the order. Updates late in the season brought improvement and Eddie Irvine scored the team’s final podium finish at Monza. Jaguar finished seventh in the Constructors’ Championship with eight points, all from Irvine.
Afterwards
The R3 also served as a test car: Fernando Alonso drove one at Silverstone on 30 May 2002. One chassis is still raced regularly in BOSS GP, where Riccardo Ponzio competed in the 2021 season in the Open class and continued in 2022 in the F1 class.
Design and features
- B Specification: the R3B replaced the original car from the British Grand Prix onwards.
- Cosworth engine: recalibrated at short notice for BP fuel.
- Monza podium: Irvine’s third place was Jaguar Racing’s last.
- Still racing: one car continues in BOSS GP.
Jaguar R3 versions
- R3 (2002): the car as launched in January.
- R3B (2002): the B Specification introduced at the British Grand Prix.
Jaguar’s earlier racing cars include the XJR-9 and the XJ220 road supercar that grew out of them. More cars are in the Jaguar collection.
Sources
- Jaguar R3, English Wikipedia: season, drivers, results
