| Author | Message | ||
| DJ (Godfather)
Junior Member Username: Godfather Post Number: 100 Registered: 11-2002 |
Speaking of Eddie, he showed up in Monaco  http://www.f1racing.net/news.php?ID=58027 | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 935 Registered: 3-2002 |
Andreas, while I agree that Rosberg inherited the WC, don't forget that there were 9 (I think) different winners that season. He may have won only once, but obviously the parity meant nobody was running away with it. We all know it was, tragically, Villeneuve's year. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1130 Registered: 10-2002 |
Eddie (like everybody else) was the #2 to MS, no question. But that wouldn't have prevented him from becoming WC in 99 if Ferrari (Todt, Brawn) had gotten their act together. A lot 'less worthy' drivers have 'inherited' WC. Rosberg comes to mind immediately. Sometimes you get the prize if you're lucky enough. Eddie's GTO is not for sale. That website needs an update according to our good fellow and F Chatter Anthony Ferrari. | ||
| Dan 360 (Dan360)
New member Username: Dan360 Post Number: 32 Registered: 2-2003 |
Much as I second the opinions here about Irvine being compared to James Hunt, and the fact that F1 is the poorer for the lack of a "character", it must be noted that he does come from a long line of "#2" drivers at Ferrari. Even Rubens who does have some real quality is clearly tugging his forelock to MS. As a driver I'd compare Eddie to David Couthard who is mostly talk and not a lot of quality and frankly will never win the championship. He's looking pretty past it now that Kimi has joined Maclaren. I believe the many millions came from shrewd investments - he has made a lot from business and property rather than just the jets and babes. One final note is that his 288GTO is currently for sale in England... | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1122 Registered: 10-2002 |
DJ, Jon, I think the truth lies somewhere in between: I don't think Ferrari deliberately didn't want Eddie to win the WC (maybe MS did). But they weren't terribly motivated to get it right either. The missing tire at Nuerburgring was inexcusable. The development of the car stagnated and Todt even hints in interviews at his loss of motivation after Silverstone. MS did all he could in Sepang, but didn't really resist Mika in Suzuka. I can understand MS, but not the F team management. | ||
| DJ (Godfather)
Junior Member Username: Godfather Post Number: 98 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jon, regarding Michael setting the pace and stating he was so much faster than everyone else. If you recall the F1 press(British) they couldn't stop talking about Michael whether he had lost his touch after the accident. I'm pretty sure Michael wanted silenced his critics by coming back taking pole by a lot and owning the race. He made it known he was the #1 . | ||
| DJ (Godfather)
Junior Member Username: Godfather Post Number: 97 Registered: 11-2002 |
I miss Eddie also, he was a great character in the F1 circus. I recall Malaysia in 99. I remember Michael taking off and then letting Eddie by. Once Eddie got by Michael he couldn't even pull away. Michael was going as slow as he could w/o letting Mika go by him. Could Ferrari of done a better job that year? Yes, quite possibly. That doesn't mean the team didn't want Eddie to win the championship. I guess you guys forgot Todt asked Salo to give up his first F1 win so Irvine could win. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 681 Registered: 8-2001 |
In reference to Kimi check this out: http://www.wangbar.co.uk/f1/kimi/ Pretty funny. Read below about the Ron Dennis doll that cries real tears. Jon | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Intermediate Member Username: Ross Post Number: 1244 Registered: 3-2002 |
i agree with jon. loved that article too. i think he is doing exactly what he shud do given his situation. why shud he risk his life again for no money and no chance of winning the wc? pointless. and i do miss him. there is hardly anybody in f1 that ever says anything with any 'color'. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 679 Registered: 8-2001 |
Agree completely with Sean. Eddie didn't blow it the team did. There was no way Eddie was going to win the title. Ferrari (read Luca D., Jean T., and Ross B., not to mention one MS) would not have let Eddie win the Championship before MS did. If you remember MS didn't even want to come back for the Malaysian GP to help Irvine win the title. He had to be dragged kicking and screaming. In the race he made it clear who was faster pulling a huge lead on Eddie and then moving over at the last minute. He also made a point to let everyone know in the post race podium interview that his fastest lap was nearly a half second quicker than the next closest racer (Irvine). Does anyone here doubt that Ferrari would have screwed Irvine at Suzuka where he in a position to win the title at that race (he wasn't)? Maybe another lost tire fiasco. "whoops...sorry Eddie we can't find you left rear tire,....hold on MS is in the paddock looking for it.." Irvine was never ever going to be World Champion at Ferrari with MS there, that's why he left. Eddie was the Charles Barkley of F1. Once JV leaves (whom I am no fan of) we will be left with the great vocabulary of folks like Kimi, Nick Heidfeld, and all those other F1 upstarts who either have no command of the English language or no communication skills. Yeah he was a chronic complainer at Jaguar but what do you expect when he came from a first class outfit that Ferrari had become with MS. I don't pretend to know F1 as well as some of you other folks but I race and nothing sucks worse than either a bad race car or one that constantly has problems. Jaguar had a budget 5 times what Minardi and Arrrows works with yet their car was a piece of sh*t. Every newly redesigned and improved car was worse than the last. Remember the R3 front wing problems. Eddie had talent, maybe not world championship talent, but you don't last in F1 for 9 years without some level of talent and ability. He didn't have a wealthy family back in Ireland to bankroll his inadequate talent into F1 like so many other folks in F1 and fought his way up the formula ranks with hard work and determination. He was a working class kid from a working class family that hit it big in F1. The F1 grid is a lot more boring without him. Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 Flatout Racing Website: http://neverlift.homestead.com/flatout.html | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1111 Registered: 10-2002 |
Agracer, well put. Eddie came darn close to WC 99, if Todt hadn't abandoned the team after Silverstone. I met Eddie's father at Imola this year and it didn't sound as if Eddie would come back to F1. He is too happy enjoying his life and let's face it, he isn't the youngest anymore either. I sure miss him. He made most of his $$$ btw with real estate deals, not with driving. The driving part gave him the bucks to get started I suppose. | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 161 Registered: 2-2003 |
"He blew his shot at a World Championship when MS broke his legs" Actually, Ferrari blew it in Great Britian and in Austria that year. Irvine lost at least 8-points from the two pit stop screw ups in those races. How many screw ups has Schumi had at Ferrari? Only one that I can remember, and he still won. | ||
| Keith Maxwell (Keith_maxwell)
Junior Member Username: Keith_maxwell Post Number: 64 Registered: 5-2003 |
Don't get me started on the regs.... Where would Eddie go? Ferrari, no. West, no. Jaguar, no. Sauber, if he paid for his ride. I think the gig is up. Too bad. | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 537 Registered: 2-2003 |
Yeah, its not as colorful or entertaining. Have to love the new regs too *groan* I don't mean to hijack the thread with that comment.. its just, its changing and so are the players. I might have to... gasp... go watch... nascar... choke. Just kidding. Do you think he'll stay out of F1 forever? I don't think so. I can't imagine giving up unless it was health related. I'm just jaded from all the pissing matches he engaged in when he was with my team, the leaping cat, then being productive. Something constructive to go along with the criticism for his own team would have been nice, at least some of the time Sunny | ||
| Keith Maxwell (Keith_maxwell)
Junior Member Username: Keith_maxwell Post Number: 60 Registered: 5-2003 |
I think you got your wish. F-1 is the poorer for it though. Now it's just a parade of cars. Erv made it interesting | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 536 Registered: 2-2003 |
Being out for yourself, who isn't. What I meant was, pumping your team with negativity and throwing tantrums when a decision is made you don't agree with or when you don't get to call the shots. As good a driver as he is, he's not a team player unless he's winning. Sounds strangely like the little kids across the street. I hope he's gone from F1. | ||
| Keith Maxwell (Keith_maxwell)
Junior Member Username: Keith_maxwell Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2003 |
Does anybody know of a first rate athlete in any sport that isn't out for himself first? He blew his shot at a World Championship when MS broke his legs. But he was a contender. I like his irreverence.... To bad it's becoming irrelevance as well. He made F-1 more interesting. | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 535 Registered: 2-2003 |
He's always been a bit outspoken and independant. Great driver, wealthy or not, but definitely not wanting to suck it up for the team. He comes first. So, the hell with him. But I give the man respect for his ability! Sunny | ||
| A.Tonokaboni (Senna1994)
Junior Member Username: Senna1994 Post Number: 106 Registered: 9-2002 |
It was in "CAR" Magazine. All though he kind comes across as a Hard On! | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 623 Registered: 9-2002 |
Oh - was this 'CAR' mag or another one? Must go pick up CAR / EVO... --Dan | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 622 Registered: 9-2002 |
Eddie Irvine has a net worth in excess of 100M? I fail to see how... --Dan | ||
| Keith Maxwell (Keith_maxwell)
New member Username: Keith_maxwell Post Number: 48 Registered: 5-2003 |
Any one of Erv's many girlfriends would be 10 times as hot as MS's wife. Go figure! Could it be a personality thing? | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1105 Registered: 10-2002 |
There is a reason why I adore this guy over a lot of other and F1 wise more successful drivers. Compare MS' life as a family father living in Switzerland to Erv the perv and you know why people compare him to James Hunt. The guy is enjoying life to the fullest. | ||
| Keith Maxwell (Keith_maxwell)
New member Username: Keith_maxwell Post Number: 45 Registered: 5-2003 |
Did anybody read the interview with Eddie Irvine in the latest Cars magazine? Fantastic! Talks about getting decked by Ayrton Senna, rotating supermodels on a 90 day return basis, his 40+ houses, Many ferrari's, net worth in the hundreds of millions, etc... This guy is the living embodiment of every juvenile fantasy I ever had. |