Irvine hits back at his critics

Eddie Irvine hit back at his critics last night, declaring - I'm a Formula One playboy - and proud of it! The 35-year-old denied he was more concerned about enjoying the jet-set life than helping his struggling Jaguar Racing outfit.

Fellow Ulsterman John Watson insisted recently Irvine was only interested in "cruising to collect" while recent reports claimed the driver was deeply unpopular within Jaguar.

"I have a nice life and if that means I am a playboy then I am guilty of all charges - and happy to be guilty," said Irvine who has also had a string of glamorous girlfriends.

The Newtownards-born racer is in the second year of a three-season deal with the Milton Keynes based team that will net him about £18 million. That has helped Irvine fund a luxurious lifestyle with homes in Dublin, Milan, Oxford and Miami as well as his own private jet and yacht.

But Irvine, speaking with McLaren duo David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen alongside him, said he was committed to improving Jaguar's fortunes. "I have probably tested more this year than David and Mika put together," added Irvine as he prepared for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix in Zeltweg which he missed last year through illness.

"There may be someone within the team (who dislikes him) but I know what I am doing with the team and some people probably do not like the way we are going to get to the top. They can either join us or not, but let's put it this way - it won't be me that is leaving next year."

Irvine's place for 2002 had been the subject of speculation after Jaguar signed Pedro de la Rosa as a test driver at the start of the year with the promise of a drive next season. However, the Spaniard has joined Irvine in the race line-up after Brazil's Luciano Burti was axed and moved to Prost.

Irvine looks certain to see out his three-year deal with Jaguar having joined the team after just missing out on the drivers' title in his final year at Ferrari in 1999.

Irvine took time out from defending his position yesterday to criticise the decision to axe Tomas Scheckter from his testing role. Scheckter, son of South Africa's 1979 world champion Jody, was dropped after pleading guilty to kerb-crawling in Northampton. "It's a shame for the boy and it's a big price to pay for something like this in the 21st century - it's ridiculous really," added Irvine.