Lauda: F1 needs more overtaking

The Austrian, who won the world title three times with both Ferrari and McLaren, gave his views at the Autosport International 2001 show at the NEC in Birmingham.

"Formula 1 is going in the right direction and more and more people are watching," he said. "But the FIA must make sure the races are interesting. If they are boring, then people will fall asleep and the interest will drop off again. Boring races would be a big problem for Formula 1. It needs more overtaking, because that's what spectators want to see."

Lauda also gave his opinion on reigning world champion Michael Schumacher, who matched Lauda's tally of three titles last season.

"He and Ferrari did a perfect job last year," he said. "Schumacher certainly has the best combination on everything. He takes his chances at the right time and has been the quickest guy in the last few years. Although Hakkinen is good, I would say Schumacher is the better driver - especially in the rain."

Lauda was at the show to deliver a speech at the Safety in Motorsport conference with Formula 1 doctor Professor Sid Watkins. He says the level of safety in Formula 1 is light years ahead of when he first raced in the early Seventies.

"In my day, one or two drivers were killed a year," he said. "But now families can watch the races knowing that they will see accidents without any blood. This is completely different from how it used to be."