Make or break for Burti in Brazil?

Spaniard de la Rosa joined Jaguar as test driver after being dropped by Arrows and is already guaranteed a race seat with the Milton Keynes-based squad in 2002. But the team is believed to be closely monitoring Burti's performances with a view to replacing him before the end of the season if necessary.

Publicly, Jaguar Racing's top brass has reiterated its faith in the Brazilian. But after failing to challenge team mate Eddie Irvine in the opening two races, despite extensive pre-season test mileage in the team's new R2, the 26-year-old could face the chop after Brazil if he fails to pressure the Ulsterman.

Team boss Bobby Rahal has denied that he always intended de la Rosa to take a race seat this season, but refused to rule out an early change when quizzed in Malaysia.

"I guess anything can happen," he said, "but if you are asking me to give an unequivocal 'no' to any possible situation, I can't do that.

"We have to give both our drivers every opportunity first and foremost. If someone doesn't perform, we have to understand why.

"I have stressed to Luciano our faith in him. He is our driver, and until he isn't there is not much point in conjecture."

Burti denied he is facing any more pressure than he expected, saying: "I prepared for it last year by watching Johnny Herbert and all the rumours that I was going to replace him [mid season] - which were not true. It is not pleasant, but this is Formula 1."

With one of the 2001 drivers definitely out of a drive at the end of the season at the latest, Irvine is also under pressure to perform if he wants to complete the three-year contract that runs out at the end of 2002.

In Barcelona today (Wednesday), Irvine comfortably out-paced de la Rosa, setting a best lap 0.69s quicker than the Spaniard, despite running only four laps to the 45 of de la Rosa following gearbox problems (see separate story).