Northern Ireland's 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."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
