Talking to the British tabloid The Sun, former Jordan, Jaguar and Ferrari driver, turned property magnate, Eddie Irvine, has urged David Coulthard to forget about any hope of a drive in 2005 and "walk away" from the sport.

Certainly, Coulthard's options look severely limited, and it is uncomfortable to hear his pleas in the media, citing his, albeit impressive, record as a right to a race seat.

However, it's a bit rich for Irvine to start advising Coulthard.

"David never won the world title and never will," says Irvine. "He always had a top car but was never quick enough.

"I find it staggering he is prepared to hawk himself around," he adds. "He should realise his time in Formula One is over, walk away and concentrate on getting on with his life."

This is the same Eddie Irvine that having been dropped by Jaguar, just as he was dumped by Ferrari - for reasons never really explained - frequently used his column in The Sun to lambaste just about everyone on the grid.

Coulthard might well be flogging a dead horse, and he may be losing credibility as he attempts to sell himself, however it is unlikely that he would ever stoop to Mr Irvine's depths, a man who has proved time and time again that he is a sore loser and only to quick to criticize everyone else.