Lauda could test-drive Jaguar

Jaguar's car for the 2001 season

Jaguar chief Wolfgang Reitzle has suggested that 51-year-old chief adviser Niki Lauda could have a test drive in the team's Formula One car.

"It's an idea from the head of our finance department to help compensate for his salary," Reitzle, chairman of Jaguar's Premier Automotive Group, said.

"But the final decision belongs to Niki Lauda himself."

Lauda is considered extremely unlikely to do anything beyond have a publicity drive in one of the cars.

Five-year plan

The former triple world champion was recruited by the Jaguar team earlier this month.

He will be chiefly responsible for all of Jaguar's F1 commitments.

Lauda, who won world titles with Ferrari in 1975 and 1977 and McLaren in 1984, told Bunte that Jaguar were working to a five-year plan.

"I don't expect that we will be in a position to win a race or two until the third year at the earliest."

Jaguar made a high-profile return to Formula One last year but had a disappointing season, winning just four points.