Formula One: Kimi Raikkonen has suffered a severe setback in his attempt to close the gap on the world championship leader Michael Schumacher after it emerged that the proposed new McLaren could end up as an unused museum piece.
Teams now face a voluntary test ban from July 11th to August 24th, effectively ensuring the new McLaren cannot be expected to make its race debut until the Italian grand prix at Monza on September 14th, three races from the end of the season.
But McLaren fear the car may never make it to the race track, leaving Raikkonen - second in the title race and seven points behind Schumacher - having to see out the season in the old car.
Ron Dennis, the McLaren chairman, admitted that his team over-estimated the strength of the opposition from Ferrari and over-compensated.
"Last summer we considered the performance level of the 2002 Ferrari and concluded that they would make a significant performance increment for this season," he said.
"We therefore concluded that we needed to make a quantum leap forward with our new car, not simply an evolutionary step. As things transpired, perhaps we might have over-estimated just how far Ferrari would progress."
Although Raikkonen and his team-mate David Coulthard have won one race apiece this season with the up-rated 2002 McLaren car, they are increasingly perceived as the third force in Formula One as the rival Williams-BMWs look most likely to carry the title battle to Ferrari in the remaining five races.
The new McLaren has proved quick in testing, which began earlier this year, but has been involved in two heavy accidents with Raikkonen and the test driver Alex Wurz at the wheel, badly damaging both cars and setting the programme back quite seriously.
It has also been beset by engine vibration problems, overheating and the car has failed its FIA side impact tests on two occasions.
Briton Justin Wilson will drive for Jaguar for the rest of the season with Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa replacing him at Minardi, the teams said yesterday.
Wilson, the 2001 Formula 3000 champion, replaces Brazilian rookie Antonio Pizzonia from next week's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. Pizzonia has been offered a test and reserve-driver role at the Ford-owned team.
"This is a fantastic move for me, a dream really," Wilson said.
