Lauda puts hunt for Jag boss on hold

The former triple Formula 1 World Champion took direct control of the team after ousting Bobby Rahal last week. And he indicated he will remain in direct control, running the Grand Prix team as well as sister companies Pi Research and racing engine manufacturer Cosworth Racing.

But the Austrian says he will be looking for someone to help with the day to day running of the team.

"I will remain team principal, but when the season is over we will look to restructure the racing team and find a man who can assist me in running it," said Lauda on the eve of the Belgian Grand Prix. "It is not decided yet and I haven't found that man yet, so I am doing the job."

Lauda has vowed to take Jaguar back to the top of the sport, but knows he must work quickly to achieve his goal.

"Patience is a virtue in life, of course, but it is not something we F1 people have too much of," he said. "Jaguar is one of the most emotive names in motorsport and I want to press on quickly with pushing the Jaguar name to the forefront of Formula 1 where it belongs."

Lauda has again said that Rahal parted company with Jaguar because he wanted to put his own Champ Car team in America first, and not because the pair clashed over policy and direction for the team.

"It was not a very difficult decision," explained Lauda in the run up to the Belgian Grand Prix. "Basically, Bobby had two businesses going: one here and one in the USA, both of which required a lot of his time, and he decided he wanted to prioritise his business in the US."

Lauda warned the team's fans not to expect an overnight improvement at Jaguar as he learns how to take the reins.

"Before I was in charge of the whole group, and now I am in charge of the racing team as well as the group," he said. "I have to get hands on and make it work. I don't think there is that much to learn, but it is always good if you try to learn and try to do better.

"You have to learn in life all the time. This is one of my principles. You should never say you know everything."