Irvine aims for the title

The Ulsterman, who won the opening round in Australia, says he has a chance of beating team mate Michael Schumacher to the world title despite Schumacher's superior speed and a contract that says he must move over for the German when asked.

'Look back to McLaren in 1984 when Alain Prost was considerably quicker than Niki Lauda and yet it was Lauda who won the championship. It isn't always the fastest driver who wins the title,' he said.

'Winning one race isn't enough. You've got to get the second one to emphasise the first and that's what I will be trying to do this weekend.'

Irvine reckons Ferrari have carved Mclaren's 1.3 second a lap advantage at Melbourne in half.

"We are in better shape than we were in Melbourne. We have got more speed here, but I will still be surprised if they don't have an advantage. I reckon we have halved the gap to McLaren. To close that huge gap is going to be very difficult but McLaren have their own problems.

'They have a car that doesn't seem to be that reliable so maybe they have just cut everything a bit to fine and maybe its going to cost them in race finishes. If we can keep finishing and pick up 10 points or six points and they are only getting 10 every other race things could end up in our favour.'