Lauda denies crisis at Jaguar

Speaking exclusively in this week's bumper issue of AUTOSPORT magazine, the Austrian said that the team is not panicking about the new R3 car which has proven to be disappointing in its first tests. Nichols' departure followed the realisation that there was a need to re-design the front wing.

"On the team I see no problem," Lauda told AUTOSPORT. "Of course I would have been more happy if the car had been quick out of the box and we have to get a higher level of quality engineering. But this takes time.

"We don't have to win the title this year, we just have to do better than last year. The people at the team are capable and I believe we can do it."

Along with the exclusive Lauda story, this week's AUTOSPORT also includes a 158-page F1 season preview that gives all you need to know on Grand Prix racing in 2002. It includes:

ITV's new frontman James Allen giving his thoughts on what to expect this year
David Coulthard talking frankly about himself
Radio 5 Live expert commentator Maurice Hamilton on F1's other Brits - Button, Irvine and McNish
An in-depth interview with Eddie Jordan
A full guide to the runners and riders of 2002, plus the circuits where they will race.

For all this, plus lots more, see AUTOSPORT magazine, on sale tomorrow (Thursday).