Irvine hopes for Suzuka advantage

The Ulsterman needs to win Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix to secure his place in the Italian team's hall of fame and become its first title winner since Jody Scheckter took the crown in 1979.

Irvine knows the track very well. He successfully raced in the Japanese F3000 series between 1991 and 1993, finishing second in the championship in 1993 before making the move to F1.

He also made his Formula One debut with the Jordan team at the Japanese track in 1993, where he impressed F1 bosses by finishing sixth and picking up a world championship point.

The defending champion trails Irvine by two points and must set his sights on victory to successfully regain the title.

If Hakkinen wins Sunday's race and Irvine finishes second, the duo will finish equal on points - with the Finn clinching the 1999 championship as a result of having more race wins.

Second place will also be enough for Hakkinen to take the title, as long as Irvine finishes fifth or lower.

However, should the Ulsterman fail to finish, Hakkinen will be crowned champion as long as he makes the podium.

Fourth place or lower will hand the 1999 championship to Ferrari and Irvine.

McLaren's Mika Hakkinen was provisionally crowned world champion earlier this month - but the title was revoked following the FIA's decision to overturn Ferrari's disqualification from the Malaysian Grand Prix.

For live qualifying (5am BST) and race coverage (5am GMT) tune into AUTOSPORT Online.