Irvine, who was released by Jaguar at the end of the season, was given his F1 debut by Jordan in 1993.

"I suppose the new Jordan-Ford is now the only place left for me," said Irvine.

"There's no point in saying much else at the moment."

Irvine was puzzled by Jaguar's failure even to make him an offer 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 newspaper.

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Irvine and team-mate Pedro da la Rosa have been replaced by Mark Webber and Antonio Pizzonia.

Jenson Button told BBC Radio Five Live that it was not a big shock that Jaguar had dropped Irvine.

"I'm not really surprised," said Button, who will drive for BAR next season. "I mean he's had his time there and earned a lot of good money.

"He's done quite a good job but he's getting on a bit now and there's a lot of new drivers here who are very, very quick, and who are just on the edge of Formula One.

"I think they need to be given a chance."

Button said he thought Irvine's choices were severely limited and suggested maybe it was time Irvine called it a day.

"If he gets a drive or not I'm not really bothered," Button told Five Live.

"I think he is good for the sport in one way because he's very outspoken and he can be quite exciting at times but it's good to have new blood in the sport."