Irvine To Lead Jaguar Assault.

Eddie Irvine has signed to lead Jaguar's Formula One programme next season.


The Irishman forsakes his seat at Ferrari to head up Ford's works assault on F1 in 2000 which, as has been widely rumoured, will see the Stewart team renamed after it luxury and sports car brand Jaguar. Ford acquired Stewart over the Canadian GP weekend, and has been searching for a top-line driver to lead the team ever since.


Approaches to F1's two leading lights - Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher - foundered as both preferred to stay with their existing teams, a decision also made by Jordan's Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Irvine, however, has grown tired of having to play second fiddle to Schumacher at Maranello, and is expected to collect ?6million a season at Jaguar. His decision is not thought likely to be affected if he wins the world championship this season.


Irvine's partner at Jaguar has not been revealed, although it is not expected to be either of Stewart's existing drivers. Rubens Barrichello is thought to be moving in the opposite direction to the Irishman, teaming up with Schumacher at Ferrari, while Johnny Herbert is expected to be eased out, despite having another year of his contract to run.


Although Ford CEO and president, Jac Nasser, has denied that he has a list of drivers to approach, the company is keen to sign Mika Salo - Irvine's current partner at Ferrari following Schumacher's leg-breaking shunt at Silverstone.


Nasser also denied confirmation that the team would be renamed Jaguar, but dropped several hints that this would be the case. Ford is known to be renaming all of its luxury and sports cars under the name and, having admitted that Ferrari's world-wide recognition is something he craves, Nasser joked that the Italian company's support made him green with envy - with heavy emphasis on the green. A Stewart SF-3 is expected to appear at September's Frankfurt Motor Show in British Racing Green livery.


If Stewart is renamed next season, the involvement of its founder is thought to be under threat. Although Jackie Stewart remains involved in team management, it is believed that Ford wants to lessen his power in coming years. Former Benetton boss David Richards, meanwhile, has been connected with the job of running the outfit.