Irvine refuses to get carried away

Eddie Irvine is refusing to get carried away despite producing another encouraging display of Jaguar Racing’s growing competitiveness at the United States Grand Prix.

Irvine, who scored his first podium in 25 races at the last race in Italy, finished second fastest in opening practice at Indianapolis yesterday just 0.5secs off the pace set by former Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher.

But the 36-year-old Ulsterman insists it is too early to say if he can follow up that third place in Monza in tomorrow’s race at the Motor Speedway.

“The pace of the Jaguar R3 is quite encouraging but its way too early to make predictions about the weekend ahead,” said Irvine.

“But we have to try and get a result here. I believe you always have to give 100% every weekend or go home.

“I think we can get one or two points. We got points here last year so I don’t see why we can’t get points again.”

Team chief Niki Lauda, who was told by parent company Ford yesterday that they are committed to Jaguar in the long-term, said: “The R3 seems to be working quite well around this circuit, but I never read too much into Friday lap times.

“It is impossible to know what other teams are running in terms of fuel loads so with that in mind our final standings must be taken with a pinch of salt.”

Irvine, meanwhile, insists he is in no hurry to sort out his future though it looks increasingly certain that he will not be at Jaguar for a fourth season with a return to Jordan the likely option.

“I am in no rush and I don’t see my opportunities disappearing,” he added. “I am still quite comfortable with what I am doing. I have no idea what Jaguar is planning.

“You never know what can happen in Formula One, but it is my decision. I’m quite clear what I want to do but I haven’t got 100% of what I want so I will sit and wait.”

Schumacher’s domination of practice left him favourite to maintain his perfect qualifying record on the track since it hosted the return of F1 to the United States two years ago.

The German will expect to be joined on the front row by team-mate Rubens Barrichello, who wound-up bottom of the time-sheets yesterday after crashing into a concrete wall at 190mph during first practice.

“It was fortunate that I hit the wall with the side of the car which lessened the impact,” said Barrichello.

“The track was still very wet so I was just taking care. All of a sudden I thought ‘whoa’ and ‘boom’. It was just a surprise. Luckily when I opened my eyes everything was okay.”

David Coulthard, who has been in the points on his two previous visits to Indianapolis, will be looking to maintain his third place in practice for McLaren-Mercedes when the actions resumes today.

But 13th placed Jenson Button will be looking to move-up in the Renault as will Allan McNish after he finished 14th for Toyota in his first outing on the track.