The Jaguar Formula 1 team starts work in a wind tunnel in Bicester this week to help their fight back into Grand Prix contention.

Work on the tunnel was started by Reynard Engineering and took 11 months to construct.

Manned by a permanent Jaguar Racing staff of ten, one of the first people to make use of it will be Ben Agathangelou, who is joining Jaguar Racing from Enstone-based Renault F1, as head of aerodynamics.

Jaguar Racing managing director and technical director Guenther Steiner said: "Ben will bring a new and experienced technical dimension to this team.

"We have never really lacked in any other aspect of our racing package apart from aerodynamic efficiency and combined with our new wind tunnel, we can now set clearly defined goals which will allow us to compete on an even playing field with our competitors in Formula One."

Jaguar Racing's new wind tunnel will now start contributing to the development of the R3.

Steiner said:"We will initially be using the wind tunnel for 16 hours a day, six days a week, moving to a 24-hour-a-day operation in the near future.

"There isn't a big disparity between the teams these days when it comes to engines, tyres and other major components.

"To extract any true performance improvement these days takes experienced aerodynamicists who have the resource in wind tunnel terms and at last, we have that resource on our doorstep.

"Ben's appointment is the latest step in our ongoing efforts to build a solid technical base that will better prepare Jaguar Racing for the long-term challenges that lie ahead.

"Our efforts at recruiting the best personnel do not stop here."