Wednesday October 16th, 2002

By Alan Baldwin

Eddie Irvine remained enigmatic to the end, still deflecting questions about his future after Sunday's season-ending Japanese Grand Prix. "We'll see," said the Jaguar driver, whose contract expires at the end of the year, when asked whether he expected to be back.

The Northern Irishman, the oldest driver on the grid and linked to both Jaguar and Jordan, suggested last week that it would not be his last race, but Formula One is full of uncertainty. And, while the guessing games and speculation are likely to continue for a few more weeks now that the season is over, some familiar faces knew that they had reached the end of the road at Suzuka.

Finland's Mika Salo was one, having already announced his retirement in August when Toyota told him and Briton Allan McNish that they would not be needed for 2003. "It wasn't the most exciting of races to be honest," Salo said, leaving after 110 starts and no wins. "But it was good to see the chequered flag on my last race with the team."

Salo, whose career best was second place at Hockenheim in Germany as Irvine's stand-in teammate at Ferrari in 1999, when Michael Schumacher broke his leg, dyed his hair bright blue for the occasion.

He said before Suzuka that he was looking forward to a holiday before assessing other motor sport options away from Grand Prix racing in November. "If there is something interesting I'll take it. I still love driving but I want a little bit less stress and I want to stay at home a bit more," he said.

Big Crash

"I had 20 days at home this year and it was too much travelling for me. So I will see what I have then and I will decide if I continue," added Salo. "If I don't drive next year I'll never drive again."

Teammate McNish left Suzuka as a bystander, unable to compete after a big crash in qualifying that the team blamed on driver error.

He had said before the race that he still harboured hopes of remaining in Formula One next year but, with fewer drives available in a championship that ended with just 10 teams and could be reduced to nine, that looks unlikely.

Jaguar, Minardi and Toyota are the main teams with acknowledged vacancies.

There is still some lingering uncertainty about Jordan although Japan's Daily Yomiuri quoted Eddie Jordan as saying that Takuma Sato would definitely be staying after his memorable fifth place at Suzuka. "He will be in a Jordan car next year," he said. "He is the first Japanese driver who has the potential to be a winner. I've always liked him."

America or sportscar racing may prove a more likely destination for Le Mans winner McNish and that could also be where Malaysian Alex Yoong ends up after seeing out the season at Minardi.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart, who has cast doubt on the team's future, has said that Yoong will not be in the driving seat next year but has not named any drivers yet.

Webber Waits

Australian Mark Webber will be one of Minardi's, if a much-touted move to Ford-owned Jaguar does not come off.

Jaguar's Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa has a contract for next year but his position is still seen as vulnerable after a disappointing and pointless season.

"As it stands today I cannot tell you who either of my drivers are going to be next year," said Minardi's Stoddart before threatening to quit altogether when it emerged that other team bosses were planning legal action over television money paid to him.

"I would hope that it would be a combination of Webber and (Dutchman Jos) Verstappen. But it could be a combination of anyone. We did a list the other day of 20 drivers. Rest assured there will be two good drivers.

"I've released Mark from his contract so he's a free agent," added the Australian. "If he gets a better drive then good luck to him and I do genuinely mean that and I wish him well. If he doesn't, then there is a guaranteed seat for him next season.

"He's in a perfect position. He's under no pressure. Mark would be my number one choice of driver for next year if he does not get something better."

Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, the Williams test driver last season, is also in the frame for a Jaguar drive while paddock gossip expects compatriot and CART winner Cristiano da Matta to be announced soon as Toyota's new signing.

Brazilian Felipe Massa, replaced at Sauber by Heinz-Harald Frentzen, is still looking for a drive and talking to a couple of teams. He also has a Sauber test role to fall back on.

Compatriot Enrique Bernoldi, whose Arrows team failed to compete in the last five races of the year, also seems destined for a new start somewhere else.

Published at 01:12:47 GMT