Reitzle stepped down and was replaced by American racing champion and successful team owner Bobby Rahal for 2001. Results did not improve, and the appointment of three-time F1 World Champion Niki Lauda in the middle of the year did not help team morale, with the team sliding further back in the field. An abortive attempt to bring McLaren's ex-technical director Adrian Newey to Jaguar further destabilised the team, and conflict between Rahal and Lauda led to Rahal's resignation. The highlight of the season, however, was Irvine scoring the team's first podium in Monaco, finishing third. This allowed Jaguar to finish eighth in the Constructors' Championship.