04/11/02: Eddie Irvine has admitted that his only real hope of remaining in Formula One for the 2003 season lies with Jordan, the team who gave him his big break in F1 in 1993.

Irvine, released by Jaguar Racing on Friday, has also admitted that his plans are up in the air, with former boss Eddie Jordan his best hope of employment next season.

"I suppose the new Jordan-Ford is now the only place left for me," said the Irishman. "There's no point in saying much else at the moment."

Irvine was puzzled by Jaguar's failure even to table an offer for him to remain with the team he has been with since they entered the sport in the 2000 season.

"Niki Lauda kept saying we've no money," Irvine told The Guardian. "Well I can tell you that money isn't an issue for me at this stage of my career.

"I told him to make me an offer. I don't need the money, just promise me a good car. The offer never came. It's all a bit bizarre."

Irvine and team-mate Pedro da la Rosa have been replaced by Mark Webber and Antonio Pizzonia.