Jaguar axe doesn't change Eddie's future

Eddie Irvine has shrugged off Jaguar Racing’s decision to axe him, and said: “This doesn’t really affect my plans for the future.”

Northern Irishman Irvine and Spanish team-mate Pedro de la Rosa, who still has a year to run on his contract, have both been dumped by Jaguar’s Formula One team according to The Sun.

The newspaper claims they will be replaced by Minardi racer Mark Webber and BMW Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia.

Irvine’s reaction will fuel speculation he is set to join Jordan.

The 36-year-old scored all Jaguar’s eight championship points in 2002 – the highlight being third place in the Italian Grand Prix. It earned him ninth in the drivers’ championship and lifted Jaguar to seventh in the constructors’ championship.

Irvine was given the news he was to go in a phone call from Jaguar team chief Niki Lauda while at his Miami home.

“This doesn’t really affect my plans for the future – but if I were a team boss, I wouldn’t be happy fielding two inexperienced drivers,” he told The Sun.

“With the new qualifying rules, drivers have just one flying lap to gain grid position and the experienced men will have an advantage.”

Aussie Webber, 26, only made his debut this year while Brazilian Pizzonia, 22, has yet to start a race.