Friday June 30th, 2000

Eddie Irvine on Friday declined to become involved in a war-of-words with his Jaguar team's director Jackie Stewart, who said the Ulsterman lacked focus and motivation.

Stewart, speaking in Dublin on Thursday, had said he felt Irvine spent too little time concentrating on his job with the team and appeared to criticise him for his playboy lifestyle.

"Eddie's come out of a very successful season with Ferrari," Stewart said. "He chose to come to us -- he approached us -- and I think he's got the making of a driver who can win motor races.

"But he's got to focus more. He's got to spend more time on the job than he does right now."

Irvine turned down an invitation to respond to Stewart's criticism in order to avoid any 'civil war' within the Jaguar team.

Enrique Zanarini, a spokesman for the Northern Irish driver, said it was not the kind of issue he wanted to be drawn into talking about.

Zanarini pointed out, however, that Stewart may have felt as frustrated as the rest of the team at the disappointing performances of their cars after last year's promising run to third in the constructors' championship.