10/10/02: Eddie Irvine insisted today that this weekend's season-ending Japanese Grand Prix would not be his last as a Formula One driver.

But the 36-year-old Irishman is still refusing to reveal which team he will line up for in the future.

"It's not going to be so don't worry about it," said Irvine at Suzuka when asked that if this was his last race how he wanted to be remembered as a driver.

Irvine, who was famously punched by three-time world champion Ayrton Senna after his debut at the Japanese track in 1993, is coming to the end of his Stg£20 million three-year deal with Jaguar Racing.

The oldest man on the grid - he will be 37 in November - has been linked with a return to former team Jordan.

Irvine's only other option is to remain at Jaguar though boss Niki Lauda continues to insist that there would be no talks until after Sunday's finale.

"Lets see," added Irvine about his plans. "Next season is next season. (My) last race - not!"

Despite his comments today, retirement still has to be a possibility for the man who won four races at Ferrari and came within a whisker of winning the world title with them in 1999.

The Newtownards-born driver missed out to McLaren's Mika Hakkinen by two points in the decider in Suzuka having taken over as team leader when Michael Schumacher broke his leg at the British Grand prix.