Lauda spins on F1 return

Lauda is towed away after his second spin

Jaguar team boss Niki Lauda drove a Formula One car for the first time in 17 years on Sunday and spun twice in his first three laps back behind the wheel.

The 52-year-old Austrian, returning to the cockpit for the specially-arranged test, was towed back to the pit garage after spinning at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.

"My intention for this test was to understand the technology of the car - launch control, traction control and engine behaviour," Lauda said.

Lauda clambers in to Jaguar R3

"I found out everything I wanted to know. Compared to my day it is all very different. Now you keep both hands on the steering wheel!"

Lauda admitted he was surprised by how much things had changed since his last race, at the end of 1985.

He said: "In my time one hand was always operating the gear-stick.

"Now you have to keep both hands on the wheel, kick the throttle, then the revs automatically go to 17,000 and everything is automatic.

"It is such a smooth transmission when you change gear. There's no push or jerkiness."

Lauda said he had taken the advice of current Jaguar driver, Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, before he went out on track.

"I spun a couple of times, but only because Pedro told me where to brake," Lauda joked.

Lauda behind the wheel

Lauda was critical of the role of a Grand Prix driver last year, claiming that even monkeys could drive the cars with traction control and other electronic aids.

He said: "The launch control was unbelievable. Yes, I have said that any monkey can drive a car nowadays, but I am simply comparing it to the driving 17 years ago.

"In those days you had manual gears, normal clutch, no anti-stall etc. and had to take care of wheel spin as you started. It is now a lot easier to start.

"Now I know what words like launch control, traction control, engine braking and brake balance mean. I can follow meetings better."

Despite enjoying his re-introduction to Formula One in Spain, Lauda confirmed that he would not be making another comeback into Grand Prix racing.