Jaguar insist they have signed Christian Klien for his driving skills rather than financial reasons. The team named the 20-year-old Austrian as a replacement for Justin Wilson on Tuesday.
Energy drink giant Red Bull is reported to have been pushing to get Klein a drive and is now understood to have increased his sponsorship from �6m to more than �10m.
But Jaguar's managing director David Pitchforth said: "We have signed Christian on his talent and his potential - we have strict criteria.
"The fact Christian brings sponsorship is a win-win situation, and will help make the car even better," he added.
Pitchforth, though, was keen to emphasise that it is Klien's performance that proved decisive.
He said: "He [Klien] drove an F1 car for the first time in Valencia last week and he was very, very impressive.
"All the data we have from in and out of the car gives him top marks."
However, Wilson, hinted that financial concerns had been an important consideration in Jaguar's decision.
He said: "It's disappointing that I won't be driving for Jaguar but I expected it as there was nothing I could do about it. It's not as if it is about someone being quicker.
"There is nothing you can do unless you have got a huge company behind you willing to pump millions into your career.
"I want to stay in F1 but perhaps I will have to look elsewhere.
"Cart in the United States would be a good option and that is something we have thought of in the past."
MMIX
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