Future not Rosa for Jaguar drivers.

The arrival of Pedro de la Rosa at Jaguar Racing this season has immediately set tongues wagging as to which current incumbent will be replaced for 2002.

Although the 2001 campaign is just one race old, both de la Rosa and new Jaguar overseer Niki Lauda have admitted that the Spaniard has been signed with a view to racing next season - leaving either Eddie Irvine or Luciano Burti out in the cold. Both men could find themselves in the firing line, as Irvine approaches the end of his career and Burti begins his without much concrete evidence of his ability behind him.

The Irishman has already proven to be an outspoken member of the line-up, and has been warned by new CEO Bobby Rahal as to his future conduct, and openly admits that he may not have much time left in the top flight. This would provide a natural opening for de la Rosa, even though Irvine has previously said that he wanted to be the man to take Jaguar to the front of the field - something he admitted would not happen for three or four years at least.

Burti, meanwhile, graduated to Jaguar's race team at the expense of Johnny Herbert, having served as its test driver for little over a year. Although occasionally quick in development sessions, the Brazilian never set the world alight and has only a disappointing second place in British F3 - behind Marc Hynes - to show for his time in the international junior formulae.

Hynes has struggled to land an F1 testing role and will race a part-programme in Indy Lights this season. An accident on Saturday in Melbourne hinted at Burti's inexperience and, although he finished as best Michelin runner in Sunday's race, the pressure already appears to be on.