World title is Irvine's new target

The Ulsterman has been promoted to team leader following Michael Schumacher's double leg fracture, which looks set to rule the former world champion out for most of this season.

Irvine was initially hired to help Schumacher try and win the driver's world title for Ferrari, last achieved by Jody Scheckter in 1979.

As the team's number two, Irvine's role has been to let the German through during races and help to fend off the competition.

But with Schumacher out for two months, following Sunday's crash at the British Grand Prix, Irvine has been handed his dream role as undisputed number one.

'Ferrari didn't take me on to win the world championship,' he said. 'But that's what they are asking me to do now, and I'm going to try my best.'

'Being the number one driver of Ferrari is everybody's dream. Now we have to stop making mistakes and try to do the best job we can.

'Before, I've always raced for Michael, as laid down by my contract.

'Now everything's changed, I will be racing for me, and for Ferrari's world championship. For my world title.'

Mika Salo has been recruited as Irvine's temporary team-mate, and the Finn has already put an F399 through its paces at the team's private race track at Fiorano on Tuesday.

'Mika will need time to get used to the car, I think it would take at least a couple of Grand Prix,' said the Ulsterman. 'But I am sure that he's a good choice.'

Salo replaced injured Brazilian Ricardo Zonta for three races at the BAR team earlier this season.

His role will be to help Irvine make up the eight points that separate him from world champion and overall leader Mika Hakkinen.