Niki Lauda to be replaced at Jaguar

Former world drivers’ champion Niki Lauda is poised to be replaced as boss of Formula One team Jaguar Racing.

The Austrian is set to part company with the under-achieving Milton Keynes based outfit this morning, leaving Jaguar looking for their fifth team chief in just four years.

Jaguar have called a press conference for 11am at a London hotel when they are expected to announce the latest change to the running of the team.

The decision comes on the day when the team begin testing for the 2003 season with new drivers Mark Webber and rookie Antonio Pizzonia in Barcelona.

It also comes just days after they announced plans to shed between 40 and 60 jobs in the F1 operation because of the current economic climate.

Lauda only took up the position in August 2001 following Jackie Stewart, who set-up the team before selling it to engine suppliers Ford, Neil Ressler and Bobby Rahal in the job.

The three-time champion took over from Rahal, but oversaw a largely disappointing campaign last season when Jaguar finished seventh in the Manufacturers’ Championship, though they looked more competitive in the final races.

Bosses from American car giant Ford claimed at the United States Grand Prix last September – when it confirmed its financial backing of the team – that it was important to maintain stability.

But replacing Lauda would fly in the face of that commitment and confirm speculation the team is hampered by political infighting.

Though Ford has reconfirmed the commitment to Jaguar, its name will also be on the cars of F1 rivals Jordan Grand Prix in 2003 having agreed an engine deal with subsidiary company Cosworth.