Lauda slams 'boring' DC and Hak.

Jaguar boss Niki Lauda has slammed McLaren drivers' Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard for being 'boring.'

The Austrian added F1 needs characters if it is to remain a top sport. Lauda told ITV Sport: "Their charisma is missing because these kids are brought up inside big organisations, and they never learn to be themselves in an interview."

"Look at poor Hakkinen and Coulthard, they have to clear everything with Ron Dennis at McLaren before they say something. When I am emotional, I want to say what I think! This control is a real problem, for it means they never develop their personalities properly. Especially the McLaren drivers, whose interviews are the most boring you could ever hear."

The Austrian added: "Ralf Schumacher is good. He says what he wants to say. Michael (Schumacher) was getting better when Ferrari got hold of him! (Juan Pablo) Montoya can be good, as can our Eddie (Irvine)."

"These guys are paid to drive cars to their limit and while I accept the need to be politically correct, there's a big difference between saying what you want and saying what you are told."