Irvine Sent to Back of Grid for Fuel Irregularity

Briton Eddie Irvine will start Sunday's Spanish Formula One Grand Prix from the back of the grid after his Jaguar was ruled to have used irregular fuel in qualifying.

The Northern Irishman had been 15th, higher than he had expected in a car struggling with serious aerodynamic problems, on Saturday. He set a time of 1:18.779 - 2.415 seconds behind pole.

But the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement that a fuel analysis by the technical delegate had shown a discrepancy with a sample approved prior to the event.

"To be honest it doesn't make much difference given where we were on the grid," commented Irvine. "But at least this way I might get to overtake some cars tomorrow."

Jaguar representatives were summoned to a stewards' meeting and a further sample was analysed.

"After having examined the results of this further analysis, the stewards decided to delete all qualifying times of the driver," an FIA statement said.

A spokeswoman said Irvine would still be allowed to start, but from the back of the grid. He and Jaguar have the right to appeal, although the team gave no indication of planning to do so.