Lauda denies management struggle at Jaguar

Earlier in the year, Lauda was brought in to head the motorsport side of Ford's Premier Automotive Group, which incorporates Cosworth Racing, Pi Research and Jaguar Racing. But as the Formula 1 team struggles to make the grade with its currently mid-grid R2, rumours suggest that Lauda could be wrestling for power with Jaguar Racing CEO Bobby Rahal.

"I am getting tired of explaining my position," Lauda told Autosport's sister magazine Autocar. "There is no confusion, merely the fact that everybody seems to want to create situations between Bobby Rahal and myself. He runs Jaguar Racing, I run the group. There is no problem whatsoever."

The Big Cat's best result so far this season is seventh place for Eddie Irvine in last Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. With six races gone and still no points on the board, much is expected of the team at the next round in Monaco, where a new aerodynamics package is due to be introduced.

"The car was simply not fast enough to put us in a position to really challenge for points [in Austria]," said Rahal. "It's now common knowledge that we should have a faster car for the next race in Monaco thanks to a significant aerodynamic redesign, so we're all eager to test the package and get out racing with it."

The team is completing a full testing schedule this week with development programmes taking place at Valencia and Jerez.