FEBRUARY 19, 2001

Jaguar deny Irvine will be axed

JAGUAR RACING have denied that Eddie Irvine will be replaced by Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa for the 2001 season.

Reports in Spain suggested that the Milton Keynes-based team were ready to ditch Irvine after he slammed the performance of the new R2 chassis, but officials have said the Ulsterman will not be replaced.

"There is absolutely no truth in the rumor that Eddie Irvine will be replaced this season," a Jaguar spokesperson said. "The driver line-up for 2001 will be the same with Eddie Irvine and Luciano Burti."

Spaniard De la Rosa was ditched by Arrows in January and signed a two-year test driver deal with Prost which includes the promise of a full-drive next season.