Paul Stewart diagnosed with cancer.

The Jaguar Team has received another setback to its debut season with the revelation that chief operating officer Paul Stewart has been diagnosed with cancer.

The Scot, a founder of the Stewart Grand Prix team taken over by Ford to foot the Jaguar project, has a treatable cancer of the colon, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The treatment is expected to last for several months, and Stewart has decided to step down from his position with the team to concentrate on making a full recovery. He will, however, retain his role as an executive director.

''Paul is a very important part of the management of Jaguar Racing,'' said team chairman Neil Ressler, ''but we understand his involvement must reduce while he concentrates on recovering from his illness, and we will restructure accordingly. We are heartened by the fact that Paul will continue to be on the board, and wish him a successful recovery.''

''Paul's recovery is the single most important thing in the life of the Stewart family,'' confirmed father, and triple world champion, Jackie, ''and he is in the best possible hands at the Mayo Clinic. His mother and I, as well as his brother Mark and Paul's wife Victoria, have complete confidence in his professors and doctors, and they are optimistic that Paul will, through treatment, be able to overcome this illness and continue to live life to the full.''

Stewart Jr will review his situation with Jaguar and its parent company Ford when his treatment is complete