Ferrari could be even more dominant in Formula One next year than they have been in 2002, according to Jaguar star Eddie Irvine.

The Northern Irishman, who drove for Ferrari from 1996-9, said that the Italian team believe they have made even more progress with their 2003 car than they did with this year's.

Irvine said: "The guys there (at Ferrari) are telling me that they've made bigger steps for next year than they've made between last year and this, already. It's kind of scary.

"Williams are unreliable. They don't do a job anywhere near the level of Ferrari, that's quite clear.

Shocked

"Ferrari finish races while everyone else is breaking down. And you can't really stop them having a one-two if you're parked on the verge after 28 laps."

Ferrari have smashed a host of F1 records this year.

Michael Schumacher clinched the championship faster than anyone else in history, and has set a new mark for victories in a season, with 10.

Schumacher's championship was the fifth of his career, matching the all-time record set by Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950s.

The level of Ferrari's domination has shocked rivals Williams and McLaren.

Williams have promised to design a radical car for 2003 in an attempt to close the gap to Ferrari, and are also building what they hope will be the most advanced wind tunnel in F1.

And McLaren, whose chassis is considered to be as good as Ferrari's, are quietly confident that engine manufacturer Mercedes will make up much of the 60-70bhp deficit they have suffered this year.