It was always going to come down to this. The marketing man's dream, a showdown in Suzuka, gladiatorial combat over 53 laps for the world title. Wash away the dirt and grime of Paris courts, let the barkers growl down the cynics, the circus maximus is back in town with its greatest attraction. And doing the gladiatorial combat 96 Ferrari and McLaren.

The six gnarled warriors were assembled yesterday for a little pre-fight preamble, the main contenders and their technical minders squaring up like tame tag teamers, full of explanations, all hoping to deliver an eastern promise to the faithful.

Championship leader Eddie Irvine was first into the ring, delivering a couple of solid jabs, admitting his fondness for the FIA had allowed him to battle in and reeling off his record like a taunt. "I've spent a lot of time here in Japan," he said. "I raced here for three years between 1990 and 1993. I also took part in my first grand prix here and got my first grand prix point at Suzuka in 1993. I've always had a good race here. "If I were to win the championship and I could choose where to win it, this is the place I'd want to do it. I came out of amateur racing in Europe into what was a very professional series at the time, here in Japan, and this is the country where I feel I became a proper racing driver. It would be very fitting to win the championship here."

Tough talk but the statistics bear him out. Irvine has bettered his position with each finish here since that sixth in 1993 and is now looking to cap that tally with the number one spot. But if Irvine was throwing jabs, then Mika Hakkinen went for body blows. "I have only good memories of this track," said the defending champion. "It's the circuit where I scored my first podium, in 1993, and then to have won my first championship over here last year was a fabulous experience. There are plenty of other good memories as well. Personally I think this is a fabulous place. I like it."

But while Hakkinen may use his title win here to boost his belief, it's clear he is the one on the psychological back-foot. McLaren have cancelled all the Finn's promotional duties while in Japan and while he retreated early from the circuit yesterday, Irvine and team-mate Michael Schumacher chatted amiably with friends until darkness fell on the theme park that houses the Suzuka track. For Irvine the pressure is off.

"I have to say I wasn't nervous at all in Malaysia. We'll see what happens here but so far, so good. The pressure is there but luckily there seems to be something just above my head that is holding it all off me. I just have to do my best and if it happens it happens. If it doesn't then as long as you know you've done your best there is not a lot you can do about it. "There is a lot riding on this race for me, but it's not just that, it's the same for the mechanics, and for all the Ferrari fans around the world," he said. "Actually, Jean Todt will probably be more nervous than I am."

The Ferrari sporting director, the loyal Schumacher second who has been in and out of Irvine's corner all season, admitted that now the possibility is here, the edges are fraying. "I will try to control it," said the Frenchman. "But this is a very important occasion. How could I remain calm, without caring about it? It represents many years of effort from all the team, years of passion and emotion. I'm human and I'm nervous."

But while McLaren are far from throwing in the towel, Irvine is marginally ahead on points. Coupled with a four-point lead over Hakkinen, sustained thanks to the Paris verdict, and the presence of Michael Schumacher by his side and Irvine moves from brave pug to potential heavy hitter.

The Irishman even received a vote of confidence from Jordan's Damon Hill, who about to line-up for his last ever Formula One race, has been the target of several Irvine salvoes since announcing his retirement earlier this year.

"You'd have to say Irvine is looking good," admitted Hill, who won his single championship at Suzuka in 1996. He's four points ahead of Hakkinen, so all the pressure's on Mika now. But the guy who wins will deserve to be world champion.

"It's not possible to dissect it into why they're there or anything. Both drivers will have gone through an enormous ordeal to get where they are. Sixteen races of fighting for the world championship is tough going and to keep your wits about you and maybe get a bit lucky, to just hold it together up to this point is tough."

Sunday's race will see Hill bid farewell to racing but the Jordan driver said he had few regrets about his decision to quit the sport. "After this season, I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "It's not been terribly successful for me this season. So I hope this race isn't going to be as painful as the other ones this year which have been pretty barren. It would be nice to finish on a high. I don't really have any strong emotions about this weekend. I'm just thinking about the race and thinking about doing as well as I can in what will be my last grand prix."

As Hill gets set to leave the auditorium though, inside the main event is about to begin. Hakkinen with the better machinery but an occasionally wayward partner in David Coulthard. Irvine, dogged and street-fighter tough but aided by the most cultured co-combatant in the sport in Michael Schumacher. Irvine with the better local record, Hakkinen a power on a world stage. House lights down, seconds out, let's get ready to rumble.