Irvine: Ferrari switch would be wrong for Jenson.

Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has said that Jenson Button would be wrong to think about a switch to the Scuderia next season following speculation that the Brit was being lined up to replace Rubens Barrichello.

In the run-up to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, reports in Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper suggested that Button could be in line for a switch to Ferrari to join up with world champion Michael Schumacher - who he would eventually replace as number one when the German elects to retire.

However, despite such a deal being unlikely, Irvine said that Button would be wrong to contemplate a move to the Italian team - saying it would do the Brit's career more harm than good.

"Button's stock is sky-high thanks to the way he has eclipsed his BAR partner Takuma Sato," Irvine said in his column in The Sun. "But there is no surer way of seeing your value plummet than being constantly upstaged by someone with the same machine.

"That is why any suggestion that Jenson will go to Ferrari next season is laughable. Michael Schumacher would just blow him away, and that wouldn't be a great career move. Anyway Ferrari aren't really interested in Jenson. The man they really have their eye on is Kimi Raikkonen."

However Irvine added that he didn't know whether or not it would be better for Button to stay at BAR or make his much anticipated switch to Williams - a move that has been called into question with doubts existing over who will be the Grove based teams engine supplier next season.

"Jenson has been a big hit with BAR and they are desperate to keep him, but he need to find out who his partner will be next season before committing himself," Irvine continued. "If it is Takuma, he will continue to be the blue-eyed boy - but if some hot shoe is signed up it could compromise his position.

"Then, maybe, he would be better fulfilling his deal with Williams and matching himself with Mark Webber - he would probably get the upper hand over the Aussie.

"Jenson is at a crossroads and if he wants to be a true title challenger, he needs look at his options. BAR don't have the car to run with the McLarens or Renaults."