EDDIE IRVINE has told David Coulthard to stop trying to beg for a Formula One drive and retire gracefully. Coulthard is desperate to stay in the sport after being axed by McLaren to make way for Juan Pablo Montoya. The Scot, 33, has had fruitless talks with Sauber, was snubbed by new boys Red Bull, and BMW Williams even turned down Coulthards offer to be paid purely on bonuses for points scored. Irvine said: David never won the world title and never will. He always had a top car but was never quick enough. I find it staggering he is prepared to hawk himself around. He should realise his time in Formula One is over, walk away and concentrate on getting on with his life."
If you were Coulthard would you retire now after driving for the top teams or carry on with a 2nd rate team just for the fun of it, must be a tough choice for him.
If Coulthard was any good he wouldn't need to hawk for a drive, the teams would come to him. He's not out of a job by chance, the team principles are not dumb.
He could still make a small fortune racing other types of cars. He must have trouble letting go of F1. Unlike Schumacher, his teamate has always been a better driver. Even if you have the best car as in '98 & '99, when your teamate is arguably the next best driver after MS it is difficult to win a championship.
Yes - for a bagpipe manufacturer - he's been blowing his own trumpet for so many years, he's had enough practice.
Why do so many beat up on DC? He made it to the top series of motorsport, and that's a significant achievement that few can lay claim to.
DC's career has evolved backwards. As you said, he started out in a top team (Williams), moved to another top team (Mclaren), and now is evaluating a mid-field team or a test driver position. He faces a tough decision but it almost embarrasing how his F1 future is hanging from a thread and he doesn't let go. Maybe he should gracefully retire and join Hakkinen (and the others) in touring cars.
While DC is a great driver I agree that he should back out now with dignity. At this point in his career he has to understand that it is time to let the younger drivers come up through the ranks. Where will he go if not? Minardi? Jordan?
Much of it has to do with personal self image and having people impressed by you. Let's face it racing is about ego. Some people miss the "bright lights" and will do anything to remain in the eye or the public. That's why some F1 stars go into other forms of racing to not loose the feeling of being special or to loose the aplause. DC is one of those people, so are others like Alesi, Frentzen and a few more. But then there are drivers who couldn't care less what other's think about them and are not out to gain applause or garner attention. They race because it's what they love. I don't think you would have seen Senna race after leaving F1, I don't think you will ever see MS in another race car after he leaves F1 much like some other World Champions such as Mansell (technically he went to CART, but he did come back to F1 and then permanently retire) and Jackie Stewart. Regards, Jon
Senna, Mansell and Stewart were all WDCs in F1 - so they had climbed the Mt. Everest of the motor racing world. They had nothing to prove really after F1. DC and Alesi and Frentzen on the hand still have something to prove. The last championship they won was many moons ago. The need for being limelight and other things you mentioned does play a role but some of the other motivators are: a) Desire to keep racing b) Ability to keep racing (i.e. are healthy enough, reaction times are quick, etc) c) Need to get some more money in the bank (for future retirement and sustain their lifestyles) d) Still have something left to prove. In fact the gentleman's racing like Goodwood and the Historic races at Laguna Seca are great venues for old drivers to meet their adoring fans. E.g. I saw on TV, Rene Arnoux signing autographs at Goodwood this year... but .. racing is more for the above reasons than anything else.
Eddie Irvine was a wanker in an F1 car. What gives him the right to tell anyone to retire. Mr Irvine didn't get a ride cause he was a lazy s*** that never wanted to test. That's why he didn't win the title the year Schu broke his leg. He couldn't win unless schu was helping him set up the car. Once he stopped Eddie couldn't win anymore.
That may be true, but at least he had a shot at the title going into the last race of the season. Hakkinen set up DC's car for many years and the closest he got to being in the title chase was about the 4th race of the season. Not a huge Irvine fan but at least he didn't beg for a ride. Cheers, Jon
Red Bull might be tossing DC a lifeline. Mateschitz wants an experienced #1 driver, either Heidfeld or Coulthard.
I have never been a fan of DC. I thought he was over-rated from the start. I was always amazed when Ron Dennis continued to renew his contract. He has spent more years in championship winning cars than most drivers, but has never come close to winning a championship. Irvine spent more time in uncompetitive cars than DC, yet he came very close to winning the championship in '99. I hope DC retires or races in America or something. I certainly don't want him to get a job working with his manager (Martin Brundle) on the UK F1 TV coverage. James Allen and DC every other Sunday would definately make me finally abandon F1!
Just for fun I once looked up the statistics and realized how close Irvine came in 1999: No other Ferrari driver who didn't win the championship with Ferrari ever got closer than Irvine! Nobody. He got closer than all the big names including Villeneuve, Prost, Mansell.
Coulthard is obviously a very good driver. As are all the drivers in F1. The problem with Coulthard (as with most British sports people) is he has been over hyped. He is not the best amongst his peers. He has generally had 1 of the top 3 cars (and for a long time the best car) in F1 and his results have not reflected that. I think the fact that he is British and the associated sponsorship has kept him in his seat. DC getting on the podium is heralded as though he'd just won the chanpionship. And I don't think this helps him or the sport. I would rather hear praise for a genuine champion. Then someone elevated by artificially just because he's British.
Looks like a new drive's close................. http://www.autocarmagazine.co.uk/sport_news_article.asp?id=41042&s=5
Only thing missing is the quote " I think I have a really good chance at the championship this year......!!!!!"
Red Bull has bought Jaguar and repainted the cars. Sauber is alive and well and probably kicking them again in 05.
