Lauda Hopes for Points Now, Wins in 2002

Jaguar boss Niki Lauda is looking for Formula One points soon and victories in 2002 after coming away from the first five races of the year empty-handed.

Jaguar scored just four points in their debut season last year and have finished no higher than eighth so far in 2001. However, triple world champion Lauda, who returns to his native Austria next week for his home Grand Prix, said he hoped the tide would turn soon.

"The team's immediate challenge is getting the aerodynamics right, that's where we need to improve," the Austrian told the team's official website.

"Bobby (Rahal) and the team are working relentlessly on a new aero package and that should put us into contention for points very soon I hope. We are discussing various concepts for next year's car and my ambition is to win races in year three."

The team has recently shuffled its driver line-up, with Brazilian Luciano Burti leaving for Prost and Spain's experienced Pedro de la Rosa taking his place alongside Eddie Irvine. Neither finished the last race in Spain.

Northern Irishman Irvine said before that race that his Jaguar was not quick enough and sounded resigned to using the remainder of the season as a test bed for next year.

"Last year I'd hoped was going to be a test year but now this year's a test year again to make a big step forward for next year like Williams have done," said Irvine.

Lauda said the team had done a good job in Barcelona, with Irvine using launch control to good effect to jump four places at the start, and looked to be ahead of some other teams.