TEAM CHIEF Eddie Jordan admitted he was "disappointed" after seeing Formula One rookie Ralf Schumacher score a podium finish on their 100th grand prix in Argentina yesterday.

Schumacher, in only his third race, took third place, but left team mate Giancarlo Fisichella fuming after hitting the Italian out of contention when they were battling for second place.

"It is disappointing because we could have had two drivers in the points," said Jordan. "The opportunity was there and we missed it.

"But drivers are very competitive, even against their own team mate, and Ralf wanted to get past. But it would have been good if both had finished. They are both great young drivers with lots of potential and for Ralf to get on the podium in only his third race is a great achievement.

"This was a key race for us, but what the race shows is that we have got a good car and a great engine. It's looking good for the future."

Schumacher, younger brother of double world champion Michael, refused to take the whole blame for the incident which sent Fisichella out of the race as the German went for a gap on the inside of a right hand corner.

"Giancarlo can be angry if he wants to, but he opened the door a little bit and I went for it. I was going quicker than him at the time. Perhaps it was a bit of a mistake from both of us, but he could have moved over a bit to let me through."

Eddie Irvine celebrated his best Formula One finish last night by insisting his future at Ferrari was not under threat.

Irvine dismissed the rumours surrounding his place in the team after pushing title favourite Jacques Villeneuve all the way before finishing second in the Argentinian Grand Prix.

"They were only rumours," said the Northern Ireland born driver who has been the subject of a campaign by the Italian press to get him replaced after disappointing in the opening two races.

"There was no fact to it," said Irvine. "The Italian press have got to fill a page every day and they just make it up.

"All I know is that you have got to perform every race. I have just got on with my job and I am really pleased for the team to get a result for them here."

Irvine, branded an idiot after the first corner mayhem in the season opener in Australia, said: "You have got to attack from the start, it's our job. In many circuits the only place to overtake is at the start.

"I knew all weekend I was going to get a really good start here and I did. I managed to get close to Jacques at the end, but the important thing was to get a result for the team.

"It was do or die at one stage with Jacques, but he was just too quick down the straights and I couldn't quite manage to get past."

Villeneuve, who claimed his sixth career win by just under a second, said: "Eddie pushed me all the way today.

"I was really dehydrated because of the problems I've had this week and was just glad I was fit enough to get through the race."