Jaguar Racing have appointed Briton Ian Pocock as their new director of engineering.

Pocock, 44, joins from Pi Research in February to concentrate on a management role while Australian chief engineer Malcolm Oastler - formerly of BAR - will lead the technical side.

The team said Pocock's appointment would free Oastler to work in-depth on the car as an acting technical director without having to worry about managerial problems.

Jaguar, who are due to launch their new R4 car on Tuesday after finishing a disappointing season in seventh place, are hoping for an upturn in fortunes.

They have spent heavily for little reward and have been through leadership turmoil and four team principals, including Niki Lauda, since they bought Stewart at the end of 1999.