Irvine Hopeful of Landing Jordan Drive

Irishman Eddie Irvine is still hoping to drive for the Jordan Formula One team next season and he is looking forward to working alongside Italian Giancarlo Fisichella.

The 37-year old, the oldest driver of the 2002 Grand Prix field, left the Jaguar team at the end of the season after the Ford-owned squad decided not to renew his contract and sign Australian Mark Webber and Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia instead.

Irvine, who is one of at least four drivers with whom Jordan are talking to at the moment, says he is still willing to race and would love to partner Fisichella at Jordan in 2003.

"The one thing which keeps me going is believing I still have a chance to drive for Jordan," Irvine told The Sun newspaper. "I have unfinished business in Formula One and would love the chance to team up with Giancarlo because that would be a mega line-up.

"My whole life has revolved around racing and the spark is still there. It's been really weird not being part of winter testing. I miss trying to find ways of making the car go quicker. Working with engineers to evaluate various components on the car is fun."

Jordan have made no secret that they are looking for a driver with sponsorship backing for 2003, and Irvine is believed to be fighting against former Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi, backed by energy drinks giant Red Bull, and compatriot Felipe Massa.

If Ulsterman Irvine makes in onto the grid next season, he will be the fourth Briton along McLaren's David Coulthard, Renault's Jenson Button and rookie Justin Wilson, who will drive for the Minardi team after raising a reported £2 million for the seat, selling stakes of himself to individual investors.

Irvine, who also paid for his debut in 1993, praised Wilson's move and said he is hoping the former F3000 champion succeeds in F1.

"I hope Justin makes it," he said. "Selling shares in himself is a brave move - but a brilliant one. Without the cash he wouldn't have got the drive. I was in the same situation when I made my debut for Jordan in 1993 at Suzuka. I had to lay out a substantial amount of cash from the earnings I had made racing in Japan.

"But I then found a sponsor and together with a share of the prize money for coming sixth on my debut, I ended up making £25,000 profit."