Irvine sets expectations for new car

The performance of the car, which made its test debut in Barcelona last week, looks set to be vital to the team's future for a number of reasons. It has been said that Jaguar boss Niki Lauda will come under a serious amount of pressure if the R3b fails to show an improvement in performance.

This weekend could also be the deciding factor on Irvine's future at Jaguar - and in Formula 1.

"I've woken up thinking 'what's the point?'" Irvine told Tuesday's Guardian. "But in fact the whole point has been getting the weeks to pass up to Silverstone. That's really been the prime motivating factor, because I know that when the car starts going good then life gets good.

"I'm optimistic but anxious as well, you know. We've heard it before [about making technical progress] but I think this is based on a lot more fact and less wishful thinking. There's more science involved this time."

In terms of grid positions, Irvine does not expect to be too close to the front. "We hope to be about 10th," he said. "Better than 10th would be fantastic. A little bit worse would not be bad. Because with the old car, we'd probably have been last apart from the Minardis..."

If Irvine does stay with Jaguar beyond the end of the season, he is expected to face a pay-cut of his £5.3 million annual salary. "Everyone has a certain value and I don't think I will fall out with Jaguar over money, let's put it that way," he said. "I think they know my worth and I don't think we're that far apart, to be honest."