Lauda Uncertain on Son's Ability

The famously straight talking Austrian has made little effort to help his son's career, and considers that receiving no help from his father when he was making his own way in the sport made him tougher. Mathias is managed by his brother Lukas.

When questioned about his son's ability by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Niki Lauda noted: "I don't yet know if Mathias is a champion. It's too early to tell, but I don't see him out of his depth on a single seater. Obviously motor racing isn't an easy sport, and he still needs to get some experience."

Lauda junior's record to date has been less than stellar: a relatively non-descript junior career led to last year's decision to run in both the International and European Formula 3000 championships. In a depleted field in the FIA series he finished thirteenth with five points, and was marginally better in the Euro series with nine points and ninth place overall.

The Lauda brothers made some enquiries about securing a drive in America for 2005 but ultimately chose to stay in Europe and race in GP2 with former team Coloni.

Their father is waiting to see if the choice will be a successful one: "Mathias started racing only in 2002, racking up many kilometers and few results. Now it's the time to be a racing driver, and I'm happy he chose to race with Enzo Coloni and carry on with a team with which he was close already."

Mathias Lauda will be at the Paul Ricard circuit on April 6, when the GP2 grid will compete for their car numbers for the season.