Jaguar Racing announced today (4th February) that Technical Director Steve Nichols is leaving the team with immediate effect. The American-born designer only joined the Milton Keynes based squad last year from McLaren.  Jaguar's 2002 car has not exactly been setting the world alight in testing and the F1 rumour mill will no doubt say that a scapegoat was needed. The team's official statement leaves plenty of room to read between the lines! "Jaguar Racing and Steve Nichols have jointly agreed that there is a need for the design and the development activities of the Company to receive fresh impetus and direction.  Accordingly, Steve has tendered his resignation as Technical Director with immediate effect.

"For an interim period, Guenther Steiner will, in addition to his duties as Managing Director, assume direct control of all responsibilities of the Technical Director."