From http://www.homeoff1.com/news/item.aspx?id=11483 I thought that Eddie was at the races as part of his new business venture - he runs very exclusive and expensive trips to Grand Prix with his friend Ciro. I suppose that if he also owns a team he can deliver even better access to his guests. He might even sell a drive to the really rich kids!
OMG, thanks for that update Anthony. Just maybe I might become a Minardi fan. Have to say though that I'd rather see Eddie enjoy his millions and not waste them on a F1 team. It was painful enough to see Prost loose his money and reputation. And Prost had about twice the brainpower of Eddie. Oh well.
You can easily make a small fortune in F1. You just have to start with a large one! I think Eddie is clever enough when it comes to financial matters. I don't think he will do anything unless he can see a definate return on his investment. Eddie is also significantly more wealthy than Prost ever was. He's worth more than all the other F1 drivers except Schumacher. You don't get that wealthy without knowing how to do a good deal. I would be surprised if he decides to buy the team and try to run it. I think he might invest in the team and use his investment to give paying guests 'the ultimate F1 experience'. Maybe he'll take them round the track in a 2-seater.
I agree with that. The professor has the IQ, but Eddie is cunning and streetsmart, he won't make a dumb move. Giving customers a ride? Hmm, I might have to start saving...
Don't know about a lack of brain power.....since he is living a good chunk in Miami he has made himself a good name as a savy real estate investor. He has made some great investments, more than his driving paid him in a shorter period of time.
If Eddie buys into Minardi, I'd say it's a safe bet he'll do so with other peoples' money! He would never risk his own fortune, but rather trade on his name recognition. My only question is, what kind of owner would he be? He's part Eddie Jordan, part Flavio and part Ron Dennis. Now, while there is a strong positive to all three of them, I think we can agree that all have a definite weak spot. Who knows which Eddie Irvine would run the team?!
Irvine lives in Miami? Interesting. Is it possible to be profitable in F1? Why invest in a team if the only team that seems profitable would be Ferrari?
Eddie owns over 40 houses around the world. His main residences are in Miami, Dublin, Oxford, and Milan. He also still spends a lot of time on his boat, The Anoconda, in the Mediterranean. All of the F1 teams are profitable. Some more profitable than others. The reason the team owners whine so much is that as costs go up, sponsorship isn't rising to match the costs, so their profits are squeezed, but they do still make profit. I do agree that Eddie is likely to join Minardi using someone elses money if he thinks it looks risky. If he thinks there is money to be made however he will use his own. Eddie is the UK's richest sportsman. His wealth is many times greater than that of David Beckham, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, or any other sportsman.
Not only that, but Eddie wil also be driving a F1car within the next few weeks. A Ferrari even. He will feature alongside Jacky Ickx and Rene Arnoux at the Marlboro Masters at Zandvoort in June.
Arrgh, too much! All my heroes lined up for the same event! Luckily I met them in Goodwood and saw them racing live.
Minardi? Please no. I wouldnt mind seeing him become some sort of agent to a rising star or do the team leader role with a big name team who gives him free creative controll. I think Minardi is beyond help and why should he go into a headache when he is more than successful enough with real estate. In a interview with CAR magazine, he stated his Miami home doesn't have a single F1 symbol or trophy. Does he miss F1, I doubt it, does he miss the chance to be in the spotlight and other peoples minds. My take is yes. But I doubt Fast Eddie would stay consistent in the relationships with the guys in the front office. Let's take Ferrari for example... Luca or Todt visits a day of testing and Alonso is their new top driver... Irv: That mutherf**ker is too slow, I set the fastest time back here in the 90s and he can't even come close. Plus his attitude, he's a robot, a wanker. Todt: Well you're going to have to get used to him, we paid a lot of money to get him. ( To which Irv rolls his eyes. ) Luca: What do you want us to do? Irv: Well I can't get cheap enough parts and service for my GTO, there's a start. Irvine is the coolest character, like taking Steve McQueen from the Great Escape. Unless he has complete controll and the outcome has a chance to be good, I unfortunately see him rubbing people the wrong way. RocketBoy
Qn: Is Eddie able to visit the UK? I thought there was a warrant for his his arrest because he didnt show up for some court hearing in the past.
40 houses? Damn. Is he close to Schumi's half-billion net worth? I know he was a solid driver, but how did he accumlate that much money? Any sites on the personal info?
Eddie has been to the UK many times since this happened. I believe he was fined for not having insurance on his scooter. He didn't pay the fine so a warrant was issued. The fine was then paid. Eddie was estimated to be worth £153m ($250m) in the 2004 Sunday Times Rich List: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/richlist/person/0,,27729,00.html I don't really understand the rich list ranking though. According to it Eddie was worth £29m in 2003 and £153m in 2004?! Also found this amusing story:
From Autosport which is pretty reliable: Irvine Linked with Jordan Buyout By Tony Dodgins Eddie Irvine, who started his F1 career with Jordan Grand Prix at Suzuka in 1993, has been linked to a possible buyout of the team just months after it was purchased from Eddie Jordan by Russian businessman Alex Shnaider. Paddock rumours have surfaced in Monte Carlo suggesting Shnaider is not willing to inject the necessary finance to take the team forward and that he may be willing to offload it if the offer is right. Irvine, meanwhile, while by no means a regular visitor to F1 since finishing his driving career with Jaguar at the end of 2002, has been in the paddock at both Imola and Barcelona and is due to be in Monte Carlo later in the weekend. Irvine is independently wealthy due largely to shrewd investments throughout his 10 seasons in F1, but is thought far too shrewd to throw too much of his own money at an F1 team. He is also believed to have Russian business contacts, however. Since taking over the reins at Jordan, Midland has not been renowned for liberally doling out cash. Earlier in the year, Eddie Jordan had cause to complain that he had not been paid for the part of the sale that included the Brackley wind tunnel. When the money still did not arrive, Jordan actually sent round security men to evict team personnel and change the locks. Only then were funds forthcoming. On April 13, a winding-up order was petitioned against Jordan Grand Prix by TT Race Rally Ltd. The company has been responsible for painting the Jordan cars since the team began in F1 in 1991. This was due to be heard in the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division), Manchester District Registry, on June 6, but it is understood that debts owed to the company were settled earlier this week. While such things are nothing new in the world of Formula One, sources indicate that TT Race Rally is not alone in considering winding-up proceedings against the team and that further actions could be forthcoming. The team are currently being administered for Shnaider by Colin Kolles, with respected former F3 championship-winning team owner Trevor Carlin looking after the sporting direction. The Irvine link has been aired by the Setanta TV channel, whose reporters include former F1 driver David Kennedy and ex-Jordan technical director Gary Anderson, both close confidants of Irvine. Shnaider himself was unavailable on his boat in the Monte Carlo harbour but Carlin, when presented with the possible team sale by Autosport-Atlas, responded: "It is incorrect. There is no story."
Jon, we had this discussion already when Anthony brought it up, so I merged the threads. But I'm glad to hear that this really might happen. And with Jordan it would be even more fun than with Minardi. Way to go Eddie!
I tend to also think that Irv would piss people off in the paddock including ol Bernie. Not so sure it would ever happen but it would be fun if it did
I thought Shnaider was going for it. " Shnaider is not willing to inject the necessary finance to take the team forward and that he may be willing to offload it if the offer is right." Doesn't look like it.. I hope Eddie knows what he's doing. Best of luck to him.
Irvine might be looking into a career as team manager or sponsorship. Ownership of a team is hard to contemplate.
Mr. Irvine Future Jordan fan, Andreas? (if Irvine buys the team)... If he can get Ferrari engines, I can see you with Irvine's team colors all over you.
You bet. But only then. Although having been a long time Prost fan I was not interested in the team until he bought Ferrari engines. Eddie would simply be a colorful addition to F1.
Eddis Jordan was interviewed on Sunday and was asked about this. He claimed to know very little about it (yeah right!) but he was very enthusiastic about the idea of Eddie Irvine owning or running the Jordan F1 Team. Looks like Bernie is quite keen aswell:
Though Lauda is a legend and a person whom I respect a lot after reading about, I think if Eddie pulled something like he did while being the head honcho at Jaguar he would not spin the Jordan as much. Would Eddie even go for just one race given an injury or poor driver performance? RocketBoy
US TV showed an interview made in Monaco with Shnaider and he denied any speculation about the team being for sale. Yeah right as well. Welcome to the Piranha club.
