The Jaguar R3 is a Formula One racing car with which Jaguar Racing competed in the 2002 Formula One season. The car was launched on 4 January 2002. It was driven by Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa, both retained from 2001. A "B Specification" car named the Jaguar R3B made its debut at the 2002 British Grand Prix and used for the remainder of the 2002 season.
This was the first Jaguar Formula One car to run on BP fuel and Castrol lubricant following Chevron's decision to pull out from the sport.
Overview The R3 was initially designed around Texaco fuel and Havoline lubricants, however due to Chevron Corporation's sudden withdrawal, Jaguar secured a late deal with BP fuel and Castrol lubricant deal in early January 2002 and Cosworth had a short time to redesign and recalibrate the engine to accommodate the BP fuel and Castrol lubricant needs.
After the disappointing past two seasons, 2002 was even worse for Jaguar. The team admitted to making a lot of mistakes especially in the wind tunnel, as its calculations were wrong. After a fortuitous fourth place at the attritional Australian Grand Prix, the car's poor reliability and lack of horsepower began to show and the team slipped down the rankings; however, towards the end of the season updates were brought in and the car began to improve, culminating in Irvine scoring the team's final podium finish at Monza.
The team finished 7th in the Constructors' Championship, with eight points, all scored by Irvine.
Sponsorship and livery In France, the Beck's logos were read out as "Best's". The "007" logos featured on the side mirrors, denoting the film Die Another Day.
Other use Fernando Alonso tested an R3 at Silverstone Circuit on 30 May 2002.
BOSS GP One of the R3s is still driven in competition regularly by Riccardo Ponzio in BOSS GP, who competed in 2021 season in the Open class. Ponzio continued to compete in 2022, although he drove in the F1 class.
Gallery
Complete Formula One results (key) Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC Jaguar Cosworth V10 AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR GBR FRA GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN87th Eddie Irvine 4 Ret 7 Ret Ret Ret 9 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 6 3 10 9 Pedro de la Rosa 8 10 8 Ret Ret Ret 10 Ret 11 11 9 Ret 13 Ret Ret Ret Ret Sources:
References