Eddie Irvine's regular column is always a laugh for Ferrari fans because he goes about attacking Rubens Barrichello and once again this week its not exception. The reason? Jealousy still seems to be the major factor.

"Formula One would really be spiced up if someone at Ferrari had the bottle to partner Michael Schumacher with a rottweiler instead of a lap-dog.

The news that Schumacher is staying until 2006 doesn't come as a surprise. But it will do little for the sport unless he gets some serious competition from within the team.

There has been little mention of Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello being offered a new contract beyond 2004.

If he went it would open the door for some real talent to step behind the wheel of the second car. But it's unlikely to happen because team boss Jean Todt would never rock Schumacher's cosy little world.

Barrichello has done a steady job for the team but they need a partner for Schumacher with more sex appeal, someone who can cause a little turmoil.

The trouble is very few teams these days - apart from BMW Williams - want the aggro that goes with two drivers constantly at each other's throats.

Ferrari have one of the most unsexy driver line-ups I can ever remember.

Just imagine, if someone like Jacques Villeneuve or Juan Pablo Montoya were given a chance to drive alongside five-time world beater Schumacher.

The sparks would really fly, provided they were allowed to race fair and square, and we would witness just how good Schumacher is.

I believe he would still come out on top but he would have to battle all the way.

Villeneuve would cause some real in-fighting because of the bad blood that already exists between them but Todt would never put up with his attitude.

Montoya is another who would stand up to Schuey and I am sure there will be talks between his management and Ferrari before the end of the season.

But the red team probably have their eye on Renault's Fernando Alonso or test driver Felipe Massa, who they could groom without too much hassle.

Some ill-informed reports suggested that Schumacher had been given a £5million pay rise, pushing his annual earnings up to £30m. That's rubbish.

My gut feeling is he accepted a DROP in pay.

Let's look at it realistically. There was no other team Schumacher could possibly have driven for. If he went to McLaren or BMW Williams he would be taking a step backwards.

Do you want to be President of America or President of Mozambique? It's an easy choice.

Ferrari knew there was no chance of Schumacher defecting to another team so why offer him a huge rise?

Driver's wages and F1 costs in general are coming down. Ferrari may be the biggest team on the grid but it doesn't mean they don't need to tighten their belts.

And Schumacher also realises Ferrari are the only team capable of seeing him bow out of the sport in 2006 with NINE world titles.

Schumacher goes into tomorrow's Canadian Grand Prix four points adrift of McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen but don't think the Finn has the upper hand when it comes to racing.

The Monaco showdown two weeks ago showed exactly where Schumacher is losing out -- tyres.

The Bridgestones that Ferrari use have fallen behind Michelin in the tyre war.

Let's hope Michelin continue with their advantage because then Schumacher's bid for a record-breaking sixth world crown will go down to the wire.

The other thing which should give Schumacher cause for concern is McLaren's new machine, which they are patiently waiting to unleash.

While Raikkonen continues to lead the championship they are in no rush to wheel it out.

The new model will undoubtedly be a step forward but it will be fascinating to see how much better it is."