Motorsport.com understands that the Jaguar team, which will run with Williams Advanced Engineering as its major technical partner, is keen to confirm a marquee signing before the end of the current season.

Three names thought to be on the shortlist are reigning Formula E champion Nelson Piquet Jr, Antonio Felix da Costa and Sam Bird.

Both Piquet and Bird have contracts with their respective teams, NEXTEV TCR and DS Virgin Racing, for season three, but it is believed both drivers have options to leave if they wish to.

Team Aguri's Felix da Costa, meanwhile, is understood to be high on Williams' wishlist due to his aptitude for energy management over a race.

It remains unclear if Jaguar management desires to bring a British driver on board, but a source close to the team has indicated that NEXTEV's Oliver Turvey and even Toyota WEC driver Anthony Davidson could also be considered if this is the case.

Adam Carroll, who was on standby for Mahindra last weekend in Buenos Aires, and Williams development drivers Alex Lynn and Lance Stroll can also be considered outsiders for a seat, although the latter duo may have to wait until the 2017-18 season for a chance.

Meanwhile, former Jordan and HRT Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan, who is linked to Jaguar via parent company Tata, has been rumoured to undertake the first track testing for the British squad this summer.

Jaguar must show the FIA a homologated powertrain at the end of May before it is submitted for a final signing-off in June.