Grapevine: Irvine Laughs Off Jordan Return Rumours

Ulsterman Eddie Irvine on Thursday afternoon cagily laughed off rumours that he could be on his way to Jordan next season, but he refused to count out the possibility of a move to the Silverstone-based team.

Irvine was linked with a return to the team with whom he made his Formula One debut at the 1993 Japanese Grand Prix, following comments from an insider published in the British media this week.

Speaking to reporters around a table in Jaguar's motorhome in the Montreal paddock he skirted around the question when jokingly asked when his first test for Jordan would be.

But he went on to admit: "I want to have the best car I can have, that's all there is. Jordan's a good team and there are some great people there who I have worked with before, but it is the car that matters."

Speculation surrounding Irvine's Jaguar future has grown following Renault test driver Fernando Alonso's outing for the team at Silverstone last week, where he showed impressive pace in a car he had never driven before.

Irvine's $6 million salary is thought to be one reason for suggestions that he may be forced out of the team, but he denied that money is the reason he is still on the Grand Prix grid.

"The money is not the issue," he said. "I don't need the money. I have made plenty in Formula One and I have made plenty outside Formula One, so that part is a game - results are what's serious."

Irvine, 36, insisted he will not retire from the sport unless he is faced with another year of struggles like the one he is currently experiencing, and it is likely that his decision will be heavily influenced by the performance of Jaguar's much modified car, due to make its debut at the British Grand Prix in July.

But fellow Briton Jenson Button, who has experienced a return to form with the Renault team, and had a battle of minds with Irvine during a difficult season last year, believes Irvine will not have much of a say in his future at Jaguar.

When told about Irvine's rumoured links to Jordan, Button, who himself was linked with Jordan during his troubled times last year, said: "That's probably about right - to take Sato's place. I don't know if it is his decision, but where else is he going to go?"

Button, who looks to have sealed his place at Renault for 2003, also insisted Irvine will have to re-value himself if he wants to stay in Formula One.

"I think he probably would (take a pay cut)," he added. "He's got to go somewhere and he is going to get a pay cut wherever he goes."