Formula 1
Lauda blames politics for dismissal
Niki Lauda has spoken about his sacking from Jaguar Racing, believing it was a political decision that he just had to accept. Head of Ford's Formula One Programme Richard Parry-Jones made the announcement that Lauda's services were no longer ...
Edited: Dec 2, 2002, 6:31 AM
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Niki Lauda has spoken about his sacking from Jaguar Racing, believing it was a political decision that he just had to accept. Head of Ford's Formula One Programme Richard Parry-Jones made the announcement that Lauda's services were no longer required as Jaguar wanted someone with more technical knowledge to take the team forward.
Tony Purnell has taken over Lauda's position as head of the Premier Performance division although a new team principal has yet to be appointed. Purnell and Parry-Jones are reportedly still considering options although many believe former Stewart Racing boss Sir Jackie Stewart will step back into the role.
Niki Lauda.
Photo by Jaguar Racing.
"It was a purely political decision," Lauda told the Swiss press. "I only tripped over the power plays of the English. Tony Purnell, the engineer I supported, was the driving force behind my being fired. He is now the new technical boss. And he does not want to cooperate with me. The thing is that I am not English and no engineer -- I simply have to accept the decision."
Lauda has been offered the position of special advisor to Parry-Jones and although he hasn't given an answer yet, the former champion said he doesn't know the ending to this particular 'story'.
"I have always been tempted by unsolvable tasks," Lauda said. "Unfortunately, at this time I don't know the end of this story. With the two new drivers Webber and Pizzonia we would for sure have rung in a new era. Now others are responsible for it. Englishmen, who rambled around on the political scene and managed to get Ford to release me. As simple as that. Also I am not shaken. Formula 1 thrives on such surprises, now it is my turn to be affected."
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