Irv: I would rather succeed at Jag than Jordan.

Eddie Irvine has let slip that the rumour that saw Bobby Rahal part company with Jaguar could have become reality had he wanted to switch teams.

Speaking in the British News of the World newspaper, the outspoken Irishman confirmed that he had received an offer from former employer Jordan to return to the team for 2002. Not only would the move have given Irvine amore competitive car - based on 2001 results - but, according to the driver, would also have allowed him to line his pockets.

"I would have earned an extra ?6million," he boasted, "but I didn't do it because Jaguar is what I want to happen."

Having joined the Jaguar operation in its first year, having taken over from Stewart, Irvine remains as keen as ever to be on board when it finally hits the big time. After two years of struggle, he could have been forgiven for taking Jordan's offer and easing himself into a lucrative retirement, but that is not the Irvine way.

"I've got boats and planes and houses all over the place," he explained, "Now my ambition is to take Jaguar up the grid and make it a success. If I can do that it will be very satisfying. It would be even better to win with Jaguar, but miracles like that don't happen overnight.

"We've moved up a couple of places in the championship this year, and next year we should be aiming to beat Sauber, Jordan and Benetton. That should be a fairly easy step if we can regularly get into the points. After that, getting into the top three could be a four-year project, but I'd like to stay here to try and achieve that."

Irvine has just one year to run on his current Jaguar contract, but is a firm favourite with Rahal's successor Niki Lauda.