Irvine's F1 future in balance as Jaguar start afresh
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Your support makes all the difference.Eddie Irvine was fighting to save his career yesterday after losing his Jaguar seat to a newcomer to Formula One.
The Ulsterman and Pedro de la Rosa are being replaced in 2003 by Australia's Mark Webber, who made his debut for Minardi last year, and Brazil's Antonio Pizzonia, who has yet to race in F1.
Irvine has not been retained following the end of his three-year deal while Spain's De la Rosa has been axed with a year left to run on his contract and is consulting his lawyers.
Webber has long been known to be heading for Jaguar while the Milton Keynes-based team have now also snapped up Pizzonia, a test driver with Williams, as they aim for a completely fresh approach next season.
Irvine insisted after being told the news by the Jaguar manager Niki Lauda that the decision will not affect his plans for next season. The Ulsterman, who will be 37 next week, has been linked with a return to his former team Jordan, although it is understood there is no likelihood of a deal being signed at the moment.
"This doesn't really affect my plans for the future," said Irvine, who earned a reputed £20m at Jaguar after joining them from Ferrari where he came so close to winning the drivers' title in 1999. Jordan insist that Japan's Takuma Sato will again partner Italy's Giancarlo Fisichella next season.
F1 sources said Irvine's management met Eddie Jordan earlier this week, but even though the driver is believed to have reduced his demands to around £650,000 no deal was agreed.
Irvine, who made his debut in 1993 and competed in 192 races, winning four of them, will have few other options. Only Minardi have seats available for 2003, but Irvine has maintained that if he cannot get a competitive drive, then he will retire.
Irvine's pay demands were part of the reason why Jaguar did not retain his services, but Lauda was fulsome in his praise. "I cannot thank Eddie enough for his hard work and commitment during the last three seasons," said Lauda, of Irvine, who scored all Jaguar's eight points last season including third place in Italy. "He has been with us right from day one and while there have been some difficult and challenging periods to endure, Eddie's resilience and focus remained throughout.
"His experience, speed and race craft are exemplary and the decision to replace him in no way reflects upon his clear ability as a competitive racer.
"It's unfortunate but that's F1. We wanted to adopt a fresh approach for next year and our strategy is firmly geared towards making progress at all levels of the business."
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