Richards: I'm back to bug Jean Todt!

New British American Racing team principal David Richards has admitted that his aim is to relegate Ferrari counterpart Jean Todt to second best - just as he did years ago.

The pair last crossed swords in the world of rallying, where Richards successfully co-drove Finland's Ari Vatanen to the 1981 world title. Todt, a co-driver in a rival team, was forced to accept second place behind the Ford-mounted pair. The Frenchman is now at the helm of double title winners Ferrari, and enjoying life at the top of the tree, but Richards is determined to put an end to that.

"I had dinner with Jean Todt recently," Richards revealed, "Twenty years ago, I was the world rally champion co-driver and he was runner-up. I hope I can be the bane of his life for a few year's yet."

The newly appointed BAR 'team principal designate' inherits the reins at the Brackley team from outgoing founder Craig Pollock, and admits that he is not expecting things to succumb to the same golden touch as his rally and touring car operations did.

"This team has the key ingredients you need for success," he explained, addressing his 'troops' for the first time at this morning's launch, "You need stability - and that was critical for my decision [to come here].

"I come with a clear track record of success, but F1 is a changing world. You cannot just come in as one individual and make a staggering difference. I had a year as Benetton boss - which is a long time in F1 - and I came away understanding what you need for success. We will have a clear period of assessment, then see how things go over the next few months."

Although linked to several jobs, including that at BAR, over the past twelve months, Richards admitted that the deal was not finalised until the past couple of weeks.

"These things are not spontaneous and it did not happen all over night," he confirmed, "I had been in talks with BAT for some time, but it has only been in the last ten days that the circumstances have come together."

Pollock announced his decision to quit in a shock announcement yesterday [Monday], paving the way for Richards to be revealed as the new team boss at today's launch. One of the charismatic Welshman's first tasks is expected to be attempting to commit Jacques Villeneuve to a long-term contract, as the Canadian was a former protege of Pollock's and may be tempted to follow his ex-manager out of the team.