Eddie Irvine hits out at Niki Lauda.

Jaguar driver Eddie Irvine has responded to Niki Lauda after the 51-year old said he was only quick if he is 'in the right mood'.

Irvine told the Sun newspaper in Britain: "I find it odd that Niki Lauda, who will be involved with my Jaguar Racing team this season, should suggest I occasionally need a kick up the backside to keep motivated."

"No-one is more self-critical and I certainly don't need anyone - not even a three time World Champion - telling me otherwise."

"I hope Niki assesses any problems we may have in the team more accurately than he has assessed my motivation."

He added: "I could have done some more testing if I had wanted but often there's no point. I get bored going round in circles if the only thing we are concentrating on is reliability. We have a test driver (Tomas Scheckter) to do that sort of thing and I am no longer at the stage in my career where I have to do the donkey work."

Niki Lauda has recently joined Jaguar Racing as the new CEO of Ford's Premier Performance Division.