Ford's group vice-president and their Formula One chief Richard Parry-Jones confirmed Lauda's departure from Jaguar at a press conference this morning. Parry-Jones said: "Niki Lauda is relinquishing his role as head of Premier Performance Division and Jaguar Racing.
I have asked Niki to fulfil the role of special advisor to me and I very much hope he will accept the post." The three-time world drivers' champion is now considering an offer to continue working for the team in the role of a special adviser.
Tony Parnell will take over as Lauda's replacement at PPD but Parry-Jones revealed a decision is yet to be made on his successor at Jaguar. "We recognise it is a key appointment and we do not want to leave it open for very long," he said.
Meanwhile, Lauda said: "Honestly, the decision did surprise me - there was no criticism of the way I work. I've now got to consider whether to accept their offer of continuing to work for Ford."
He also hinted at an English conspiracy being responsible for his sacking. "What you've got to know is that in England things work differently. Britons do have their unique way of solving problems. They saw away at the legs of a chair - nobody talks about anything because they of course all stick together until they get what they want. I was always aware that that's how it works and now it's happened. I am neither an engineer nor an Englishman and that's why it's easy for me to accept being replaced," he claimed.
Lauda joined Jaguar as a special advisor in February 2001 and took over the top job from American Bobby Rahal six months later. He oversaw the under-performing team's efforts for the last few races of last year and the whole of this season.
Jaguar, who had entered F1 in 2000 after buying former world champion Jackie Stewart's team, finished seventh in the constructors' championship this year and have replaced both of their drivers for next year.
Filed by Rob Wright
