Rahal, Jaguar Racing's chief operating officer and team principal, said friendship was an important factor behind his team's decision to swoop for the highly-regarded car designer.

"We go back many years to our days together in Indy cars and our friendship has certainly played a key role in making this happen," he said in a statement.

It remains to be seen what effect on their friendship Newey's apparent late decision to stay at McLaren will have.

"Six of the F1 cars that have won the Constructors' and the Drivers' World Championship in the last nine years" to Newey-led design teams, Rahal points out, and the American expects him to weave his magic at Jaguar.

"He is, in my opinion, the man responsible for generating more speed in F1 than any driver or engine out there."

If Newey joins Jaguar, he will be given the chance to bring F1 glory to the team Rahal calls "one of the most emotive names in motor racing".

If Newey's suitability for his new job as chief technical officer is beyond doubt, his availability to move from McLaren to Jaguar was and even before his amazing U-turn he confirmed it was a tough choice.