Hogan takes Jaguar job

Hogan takes Jaguar job

Mark Webber will lead Jaguar's challenge this year

Jaguar have scored a major coup with the appointment of Briton John Hogan as their new sporting and commercial director.

Australian-born Hogan, 59, is a former vice-president of marketing for Philip Morris Europe.

He will effectively represent Jaguar in the grand prix paddock after the sacking of former team principal Niki Lauda in November.

Hogan has been involved in Formula One since the 1970s, when he was in charge of cigarette brand Marlboro's sponsorship.

He has an iconic status when it comes to the business of F1 marketing

Jaguar chief Tony Purnell on Hogan

He retired from full-time work last year, having earlier engineered the restructuring of McLaren in 1980, bringing in Ron Dennis as managing director.

Hogan also initiated Marlboro's first commercial sponsorship deal with current champions Ferrari in 1984.

"We see John's arrival at Jaguar Racing as a major coup," said Tony Purnell, chief executive of the Premier Performance Division that includes Ford-owned Jaguar and engine maker Cosworth.

"We landed someone who in many ways pioneered the disciplines that we see in motorsport sponsorship today.

"He has an iconic status when it comes to the business of F1 marketing and sponsorship."

Hogan's arrival completes Jaguar's re-structuring at engineering and commercial level.

"We have no intention to recruit any more senior management - and that includes a team principal," Purnell added.

Despite hefty backing from Ford, Jaguar could only finish seventh in last year's constructors championship.

The new season starts in Melbourne on 9 March.