Dario Franchitti will fulfill a long-held ambition when he tests a Formula One car with the Jaguar Racing team in Silverstone this week.

Franchitti is currently competing in the Fedex CART Championship Series with Team KOOL Green. He was runner-up in the Championship to Juan Pablo Montoya last year.

The Scotsman is well known to Jackie Stewart and several members of the Jaguar Racing team having driven for Paul Stewart Racing in the Formula Vauxhall Lotus Championship in 1992 and 1993 and the British Formula Three Championship in 1994.

Twenty-seven year-old Franchitti said: ‘I have retained strong ties with Jackie and Paul Stewart from my days at Paul Stewart Racing. Jackie and I have talked about testing a Formula One car for some time and I’m delighted that Jaguar Racing is able to make it happen.’

Franchitti made his Champ Car debut with Hogan Racing in 1997. He joined Team KOOL Green in 1998 and finished third in the Championship with three wins and five pole positions.

In 1999 he added three more victories, two more poles and tied with Juan Pablo Montoya on 212 Championship points. The Colombian was crowned champion based on his seven wins to Franchitti’s three.

For further details contact:
Cameron Kelleher
Tel: +44 (0)1908 279794
Fax: +44 (0)1908 279763
e-mail: c.kelleher@jaguar-racing.com