66 replies to this topic

[Sonic]

We can all bring eddie down and criticise him, hes arrogant, nasty, womaniser, money loving, selfish. But thats what the sport needs more than anything. There really are too many drivers who reflect there team too much. Like mclaren or renault. Boring, lifeless and dull.

I have as much interest in the view of DC or Truili as i do of a chair. When eddie spoke something good always came out, be that the bare truth, or some winding up of someone else. Eddie so rocked at telling like it is! I dont care what anybody says, eddies mouth was well connected to the feet that were well placed on the ground. I cant forget how in silverstone in 99, before that changing moment in his career. He single handedly wound up the grid all week, causing DC and such to go up in arms over something so ridiculous that they were to serious to see it. Then eddie saying in a interview how he enjoyed having fun with everyone. Hell alot of you dont like him for this, but he seemed the only one who put fun into a weekend. Trying to get a reaction of that cube headed, buzz lightyear. during the last few races was hilarious, DC firing back serious remarks. AS eddie said its all a bit of fun.

But your all saying, but hes doesnt have talent like, Fisi or schumacher, but i dont cheer them on as much as irvine, because you could relate to irvine. He was one of the boys. A role model for all boys, a playboy with the life to match. Thats what F1 was built on. Good looking drivers with 100 women, partying all night long on a yatch. Now its some pasta and water before bed at 7pm.

But you have no idea, and only the irish people know how much of affect eddie had on a small battered island beside england, in 1999. It put, for a small time, joy and hope into people who never cared about f1. They only saw one of thier own doing well in a international sport only accessible to the very best. Last time ireland had any sort of hero was john watson, but he never appealed as much to us as eddie did. We all stayed up that night when japanense Gp started, sitting shouting at the tv and wishing to all the gods for the merc to let go. But it never happened. But for a small time we nearly had a king.

But thats all in the past, we knew he wouldnt be at that point again. So on the rare occasions my heart beat just slightly faster, for the ford to keep going for one more lap, and watch eddie take a trophy home.

But what ever anybody says about irvine he really is a good man. its an unknown fact, I know this as my friend who works for the NI civil service in belfast, was at school with eddie. So every xmas time eddie would come home and throw a big party for all his school buddies. Once he couldnt make it but it went ahead as eddie had footed the bill so the party could go ahead in his honour. Not the arrogant selfish guy that everyone thinks.

But im glad eddie didnt take the seat, although it would have been awesome to see him partner fisi and be very happy to be at his 'home'; with jordan. A very good send off. But when jordan do collapse, which im certain, at least they cant blame eddie from preventing them getting sponsorship.

It didnt matter if eddie drove for nothing he was never going to get the drive. Money is too important so, expect to see a unfit partner for fisi, who lacks the speed and experience of a real star.

So long eddie, Irelands champion

I hope we havent seen the last of your type.

thanks for memories
Sonic

[masterhit]

Good post, Sonic!


I hope that Eddie gets a commentary job. It would be great if he replaced James Allen. With Eddie to provide controversy, and Brundle to provide his laid back, thought provoking insight, it would make for for great television.

[Mammoth]

I think it was Nikolas Garth in the other thread about Eddie who suggested a tribute-thread with eddie's best quotes. Perhaps this could be the place.

[CdnF1Fan]

Sonic !!

Like you, I'm going to miss Eddie and his style. The last thing F1 needs is a group of drivers who are all as exciting to interview (listen to) as watching paint dry. Which is about what we're left with, with one exception, but this thread isn't about him.

Eddie - I for one will miss you in the F1 circus. Whatever you choose to do now, have fun

CFF

[Nikolas Garth]

This one just cracks me up every time I see it.

Daz, has it as part of his signature.

Reporter: Eddie, what do you think of Jacques Villeneuve?

Eddie: I think he is full of ****. I mean, they give the guy big boots to fill and all he can fill them with is ****. Everyone knows that Jacques is full of it., said Eddie laughing.

[Mammoth]

Never read that one before.

[rmhorton]

Hmm.. Eddie Irvine. Now that he has gone I will share my 'Eddie moment'

I always found that he talked a lot of sense. He had his way of thinking and he would make his case better than most drivers I talked to. I also was kinda hoping that he would win that title in '99 only to embarrass Ferrari..but that's another story.

But I had never done a one to one interview with him, so I duly went through the procedure and booked my 'slot'.

I turn up at the appointed time and Eddie is reading a magazine. Being a basically a polite and well brought up chap I wait for him to stop and so we can start the interview, that he had, of course, agreed to.

No such luck!

Now I had heard that Eddie had his on days and his off days and soon realised that today was one of the latter.

So I opened by asking a couple of 'easy' questions to try and get things going. No chance, Eddie mumbled his replies and kept reading.

So basically I thought F*** this, I will stir him up.

So I asked why Ferrari had fired him......

Surprisingly I didn't get the explosion I was expecting, I got his attention and a detailed answer (well his version anyway) but at least things were moving....but it didn't last and I cut it short.

Somewhere I still have the tape...

This of course was by no means a unique experience for an interviewer. No one really new beforehand just which Eddie they were going to face and I think it got a bit that way for some of the folks at Jaguar according to what they told me.

But on his day he was good value inside and outside the cockpit.

Roger

[wawawa]

Did you do a report on this, Roger? If so, do you have a URL to it? Thanks!

[Slyder]

I'll always remember good ol Edmund. He brought tons of humor and some wacky excitement at times when F1 really needed it.

[HSJ]

As much as I've grown to dislike Eddie in the past two years, I really did use to like him, quite a lot actually, and Sonic's tribute was just stuff.

[Clone]

Q: Is the likelihood of rain in the race going to be a good thing for you?

Eddie Irvine: Depends if I end up with three wheels or four wheels on the car!

http://www.atlasf1.c...99/oct/1692.htm

"You must understand one thing. When we were together at Jordan Barrichello was a moaner. When I left Jordan he moaned. He arrived at Ferrari and he moaned. He will leave Ferrari and will moan again. He is made like that, he is a moaner."

http://www.atlasf1.c...p/id/4921/.html

"I might be older than Rubens but I'll never be as ugly."

"This is DC's ninth season in Formula One, and he's never driven anything other than a Williams or a McLaren. If it hasn't happened now, it ain't going to happen."

http://www.atlasf1.c...0/elizalde.html

And of course two of his classics:

Senna : You're gonna have problems not with me only, but with lots of other guys, also the FIA.

Irvine : Yeah?

Senna : You bet.

Irvine : Yeah? Good.

Senna : Yeah? It's good to know that.

Irvine : See you out there.

Senna : It's good to know that.

Irvine : See you out there ...

Appearing to turn away Senna then turns back and hits Irvine with his left hand. The blow lands on the right side of Irvine's head. Irvine loses his balance and falls off the table. Senna is still shouting as he is hustled towards the door.

Irvine yells "Insurance claim there!"

Senna (leaving) retorts "You got to learn to respect where you're going wrong!"

http://www.thesennaf...nna/suzuka.html

"I think as an overall package that I'm better than all of them except Michael," Irvine told Autosport. "Anyone who says that they are equal to Michael is either a liar or naive. We all want to be in that position, but no-one can stand up and say it. The guy as a driver is second to none.

"Last year I destroyed my teammate [Johnny Herbert] who'd been quicker than Hakkinen. Everyone thought Johnny was going to see me off but he wasn’t even close. He properly outqualified me twice. I’m doing a similar job this year."

"It's a shame. I really would have liked to have gone there against Mika and if that had happened then the myth that Mika is on the same planet as Michael would have died.

"I would have brought a lot more to the team than Ron's two current drivers. Because what I learnt at Ferrari was so comprehensive."

http://www.atlasf1.c...p/id/5080/.html

Loved the way he revved up everybody.

[rmhorton]

Originally posted by wawawa
Did you do a report on this, Roger? If so, do you have a URL to it? Thanks!

No. I never considered it at all newsworthy.

This is the way Eddie is (was) with lots of people. He had a long running feud with Matt Bishop of F1 Racing.

Bishop eventually got Eddie to agree to an interview and I think Bishop wrote it up in his mag. If I recall correctly most of what he wrote was a sort of minute by minute account of Bishop trying to get Eddie to talk.

Eddie's saving grace was that when he did speak he had something to say which is more than I can say for much of the current grid. Of course, he might have been talking rubbish, but at least it made interesting copy at times.

Roger

[Ghostrider]

Sonic! That was a good post!

I like Irvine for his character and his straightforward way of putting things. Was more fun when Eddie was at Ferrari I think compared to Rubens. Maybe Eddie wasn't the hardest worker around, but those inside F1 have often said that the public image of Irvine is not representative of him at work.

Thanx EI for the great driving and the great fun. Hope to see you around in F1 or some other racing!

[Jaybee]

Originally posted by masterhit
Good post, Sonic!


I hope that Eddie gets a commentary job. It would be great if he replaced James Allen. With Eddie to provide controversy, and Brundle to provide his laid back, thought provoking insight, it would make for for great television.

I had a similar idea - two great minds with a single thought! James Allan could take over from Jim Rosenthal as desk jockey (ITV unlikely to fire him immediately). Alll we would then have to do is get rid of Beverley Turner and those pointless little interludes she provides and we would almost be back at the good, old, bad, old days.

[amiga1]

I'll always remember Eddie for the work he did for Ferrari in the hard years of rebuilding.

So it was nice to see him haul that green pig around Monza for a podium last year.

http://www.atlasf1.c...nza-lostia.html

[Nasty McBastard]

i could imagine irvine in commentary. itd be the same situation as carl foggarty in commentary....just an excuse to hang **** and settle old scores

[holiday]

there is a splendid edie irvine page with tons of his comments. most entertaining. it's green/white but I couldn't find the url anymore.

[Ross Stonefeld]

He was unprofessional. That will allways be my abiding memory of Irvine. You can be a character without being a c***. Look at the bike riders

[Eric McLoughlin]

Racing drivers do not generally make good commentators. It's a specialist art that needs someone with a "journalist/enthusiast" head." What some drivers are good at is providing comment. John Watson, James Hunt and Martin Brundle have all done thus very effectively over the years. I don't see Mr Irvine as a very good media person at all as he can be virtually monosyllabic when the mood takes him. Responding in a smart ass way to the odd interviewer's question does not a good commentator make.

Unusually, I find myself agreeing with Ross, although I wouldn't have put it so bluntly.

[UPRC]

Awesme post, Sonic.. It shows how much you respected Irv...
He was a great driver, and in 1999 after Schumacher had his unfortunate accident I really was routing for EI up until the end.

Shame to see him go.

[Chris G.]

Thanks Sonic. Great post.

[Irvine`s Love Child]

Good post Sonic.

1999 quote ..

Reporter " Eddie, you have everything - the cars, jet skies, planes, boats, women, money and you drive in F1, is there anything you want for ? "

Eddie " A couple of inches taken off the end of my dick would be great. "

[Rene]

Just look at my sig....

[da Silva]

Good post Sonic.

Quote

"It's a shame. I really would have liked to have gone there against Mika and if that had happened then the myth that Mika is on the same planet as Michael would have died.

haha... Irvine, Irvine... Sorry that you didn´t got that Jordan drive because I wouldn´t have disliked to see you been crushed by Fisichella...
Is that a myth that Hakkinen is on the same planet as Schumacher? It´s an fact that he is atleast as talented and most likely faster. Hakkinen would have destroyed poor Irvine.
Have the guy ever made an really impressive race? Don´t remember any..

Can´t say that I will miss him in F1, I think he´s a bit of an clown.

[molive]

"I think there was a lady on pole at the last IRL race. So, you know, really..." - Eddie Irvine

[holiday]

Originally posted by da Silva
It´s an fact that he is atleast as talented and most likely faster. Hakkinen would have destroyed poor Irvine.

If you think this is a fact, you shouldn't bother anymore sharing your 'facts' with others on this board .

Have the guy ever made an really impressive race? Don´t remember any..

Off the top of my head:

Suzuka 97
Austria 99
Monaco 01

[molive]

From the sun :

Life in the fast lane
By STAN PIECHA

EDDIE IRVINE diced with death during his motor racing career but will spend his retirement ... living dangerously.

The playboy racer shocked fans with news that he has quit Formula One after last-ditch talks with Jordan broke down.

But while the Ulsterman will not be on the grid for the opening race in Australia on March 9, he has no intention of starting a new life in the slow lane.

In fact, he is aiming to risk all in two bone-wrecking past-times he has always been forced to snub - snowboarding and riding dirt bikes.

Irvine, 37, roared: "Deciding to leave F1 was a hard call to make but at least now I'll really be able to let rip and do some of the things I've had to hold back on.

"Now my decision is out in the open it's like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I feel I can breathe again.

"Throughout my time in the sport I've always had to stay away from anything which could injure me and prevent me from racing.

"I can now go for all the things I've been putting off. I am free to do whatever I want - and top of my list is getting to grips with snowboarding and tearing round on a Motocross bike."

Irvine will be flying to the millionaire's skiing resort of Aspen in Colorado next week to brush up on his snowboarding skills.

He said: "It's amazing how F1 really constrains your life. I've been itching to go snowboarding but, while the chance of driving for Jordan was still a possibility, I was scared I might break a leg.

"It doesn't matter if I injure myself now."

When he returns he will be heading for his local motorbike store in Miami to buy FOUR Motocross machines - high-speed scramblers - to race around nearby dusty hills and hollows.

Irvine added: "The last time I rode a Motocross bike was eight years ago. I came off, fell badly and thought I'd broken my leg - and it was two weeks before the start of the season.


"That put the frighteners on me and I've never been on one since. But things will be different from now on. I'm going to buy four so I can race against my mates.

"Motocross racing quite appeals to me but there's no chance of me taking it up seriously. I'm too old and my balls aren't big enough!"

Since SunSport exclusively broke the story on Irvine's retirement yesterday, there has been speculation he could be tempted by Jacques Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock - who is setting up his own team to race in the American CART series.

But Irvine has knocked down the rumour. He added: "CART doesn't interest me. I competed at Le Mans a few years back but, these days, there are too many drivers in the 24-hour event who don't know what they're doing.

"F1 is the pinnacle and, if there's no place for me there, I don't want to be involved with anything else."

During his 10 years in F1, Irvine amassed an estimated £30million and has a host of properties around the globe.

But while he enjoys wheeling and dealing, he also needs to be on the go.

He bought pop star Ricky Martin's Miami mansion as a stopgap while his own luxury pile was built. And when he moved recently, he told the removal firm: "Leave the TV."

Irvine said: "I'm an outdoors guy but I knew if there was a telly I would switch it on.

"I'm also known as a bit of a party animal and some may think I'll be knocking back the beers now I'm not racing. But I've never been a big boozer and never will. There's no fear of me turning into a couch potato - if I got a big belly, who would fancy me?"

Retirement has already caused Irvine one dilemma - he has a three-way choice of where to spend the weekend.

Does he join girlfriend Kathryn in Los Angeles, have a bash in New York or go to a do in Dublin?

He added: "I've got my two pilots on standby so I can leave the decision until the last minute."

Retirement's a bitch.

Classic remarks!

well, unfortunately he won't be going to CART. I guess that, instead of beating Hakkinen (as he claimed he would) he got afraid of getting his behind kicked by Paul Tracy!

So long big mouth. Too bad I can't say I'll miss ya!

[Sonic]

Hey thanks guys,

alot of you liked it, im only speaking from the heart. Eddie gets too much negative press. In F1 Racing its bad press or nothing, Even ITV never gave him regonition, i.e monza!

But heres some things that amussed me:

"If i wasnt me...i'd want to be me"

Now some true eddie speak.

The John Daly show January 2003

Being asked about state of affairs in f1.

"F1 has never been in as much trouble since it started...... the big manufacturers have come in pumped millions into it pushing the priviteers out, an example of this is Touring cars or Le Mans, They came in, won everything, then they had no reason to stay and left, which then devestated the sport. There going to do it in F1 as well"

Some quotes from his book, "life in the fast lane".

"It's easy for any of us to become big-headed when you're worshipped."

"But fear is an irrational business. The things that really scare the **** out of me are earwigs, which used to infest our home in Ireland. I'd rather do 180mph around Monza than even see an earwig, let alone have one crawling around on me. I don't like snakes, either, but they are about the only two things that scare me, except for weddings, of course, and commitment, but that's another story."

"It goes without saying that there are some real arseholes in Formula One. In addition, some have serious psychological problems."

"A lot of people say that of all the Formula One drivers, Jacques Villeneuve is the one most like me. We both speak our minds, but I think the similarity ends there. In at least one respect we are completely different. I'm not sure if he knows the value of money at all. We went into a shop once and he bought sixty CDs and he didn't know any of the artists."

"People have asked me what it is like to be number one at Ferrari, seeming to presume there was some kind of religious ceremony whereby I was blessed and declared 'Number One, in the absence of the Great One.'"

"People say they saw smoke coming from the car towards the end of the race; I think it must have been coming from my brain, as I was thinking of so many things." on Austrialian gp in 99

"The other thing is that Jenson seems to be a normal bloke. He admits he likes a few beers and he also likes the girls, in fact we're the only normal blokes in Formula One! The others seem to like going to bed at 9pm with a cup of horlicks and a few rolls of data to read. I have to say that I'm not sure if I agree with his taste in women. He admits to liking the teeny boppers like Britney Spears and he likes the innocent look, whereas I like the not so innocent look."


I know i have loads more....

Keep it up, im having a good laugh at some of these

[K-One]

There you have it all

http://www.eddie-irv...ie/classic.html

[Sonic]

Thanks K-One..

Theres the quote i was looking for

Japan 1993
Qualifying 8th and finishing 6th in his first Grand Prix. During the race he unlapped himself after being lapped by Senna. Twice! After which he made headlines by being punched by Senna in the Jordan paddock. "When Senna took a swing at me I thought, 'Here's a few quid coming"

[holiday]

Originally posted by K-One
There you have it all

http://www.eddie-irv...ie/classic.html

yeah, these are the classics

[K-One]

Originally posted by holiday


yeah, these are the classics

It's amazing how one website can contain so much useful information.

[Claudius]

Thanks K-One for the link


"Italy 1998
A journalist asked Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher what they expect from their teammates. So Mika Hakkinen is giving an answer of 5 minutes (four words I suppose), explaining and stuff. Michael Schumacher shortly said: "I want Eddie to stay away from my daughter when she is on an age to start dating!"

[SeanValen]

"I couldn't afford to sit behind him, you can't pussyfoot around, you got to get stuck in." Irvine on HHF passing move-Monaco 98

When Eddie did some questionable passing moves, always had something to back it up, he rarely admits mistakes in on track action.


"Rules are rules, there's no point gambling with peoples lives, because Ron Dennis wants to win a championship." Irvine on the Argentina 98 restart.


It would be great if Irvine and Brundle were commentators.

[Ghostrider]

Originally posted by SeanValen
"I couldn't afford to sit behind him, you can't pussyfoot around, you got to get stuck in." Irvine on HHF passing move-Monaco 98
When Eddie did some questionable passing moves, always had something to back it up, he rarely admits mistakes in on track action.

I remember that pass at (former) Loews hairpin. I remember I had a friend watching the race with me and he was a Williams fan. Needless to say he didn't like the pass, but I really enjoyed it!! That was really something else by Irvine.

[Clone]

Originally posted by da Silva
"It's a shame. I really would have liked to have gone there against Mika and if that had happened then the myth that Mika is on the same planet as Michael would have died.

haha... Irvine, Irvine... Sorry that you didn´t got that Jordan drive because I wouldn´t have disliked to see you been crushed by Fisichella...
Is that a myth that Hakkinen is on the same planet as Schumacher? It´s an fact that he is atleast as talented and most likely faster. Hakkinen would have destroyed poor Irvine.
Have the guy ever made an really impressive race? Don´t remember any..

Can´t say that I will miss him in F1, I think he´s a bit of an clown.

You take the cake for replying to something that was intended to rev you up in the first place. At least you know what a clown looks like.

Thx for the quotes link too people!

[FucF1]

Well said Sonic.

See ya Eddie, you'll be missed but at least you didn't do a Hill

[Mr. Salty]

I love the way half of these posts sound like he died.



I don't mind saying I liked Eddie. He was so much fun, the way he played the "playboy" image, and pretended he didn't give a **** what people thought of him. I remember the '99 season, when it looked like he MIGHT lead Ferrari to a WDC for the 1st time in 20 years, and it reminds me of how fun F1 was only a few years ago.

I remember people here (and everywhere) complaining that F1 wasn't really racing, the results were fixed so the Championship would come down to the last race. Damn, wouldn't we love to see seasons like that now? (And I'm a Ferrari fan, btw)

Eddie was great for F1, and I believe he was too strong a teammate for Mikey to live with. Eddie didn't have too much humility in him, so bowing down to Mike and liking it was never gonna happen. Bye Eddie, Hello Rubens.

My fave quote of his was the *lose two inches off the end of my dick* one. The man loves his life, and enjoys laughing about it.

[daz]

Very sad to see him go - but I have enjoyed watching him over the years, espically in 1999.

[Nikolas Garth]

Eddie Irvine : "Villeneuve is the most contrary bloke I have ever met. If you told him the sky was blue he would say it was pink. If there was a wall made out of bananas he would say they were oranges. He does it just for effect."

[glorius&victorius]

Irv always had the coolest sunglasses in the paddock. The latest oakleys and the rest would just follow

[Cociani]

This has been a fun thread, thank you Sonic! I usually enjoyed Eddie's comments and will miss him too. He was sort of the James hunt of his times.

[tania_walesuk]

I was gutted to find out he aint got a drive this season, but there we go we cant have it all.

[kwood24]

I don’t think any true racing fan can not be disappointed that eddie is not going to partner fisi, if you’re a fan of eddie than you would just love to see him race against fisi, if you dislike him than you would of loved to see him getting beaten by fisi and shutting him up for good. I’m of the former group and would of loved to see him race in the Jordan again.

There was a great documentary on eddie after he came second in the world championship, he came across as loud arrogant but a great guy who enjoyed life and spoke about whatever he wanted.

Another story I didn’t see mentioned which I loved was when lauda took over at jag, and they launched the car, cant remember what the exact quote was, but after every standing up and talking how the car was amazing eddie gets up and in his own unique style says their all talking **** and he needs to drive it before he can comment properly.

[kwood24]

Originally posted by K-One
There you have it all

http://www.eddie-irv...ie/classic.html

thanks for the link, absolutly priceless. i loved this one

Australia 1995
On Thursday evening Irvine was having a drink with some friends in the hotel bar. Schumacher came in and Eddie invited him to join them.

Eddie: "Michael, come and have a drink with us!"
M Schumacher: "No thanks, I don't drink alcohol, I simply can't."
Eddie's reply: "Why? Are you pregnant?"

[Smirnoff Ice]

These are indeed classics! I've got half of them printed out since 1999, and will print the rest in a couple of days (my printer is out of ink right now).

I will miss Eddie this year I've always like him, both for his character and his driving.

Anna - aka Red Baroness, MS fan since Jerez 97 ;)

[Bono]

Irvine

He is really a character.

And Sonic, great thread, he deserves this tribute

[jaguar2227]

Originally posted by kwood24
Another story I didn’t see mentioned which I loved was when lauda took over at jag, and they launched the car, cant remember what the exact quote was, but after every standing up and talking how the car was amazing eddie gets up and in his own unique style says their all talking **** and he needs to drive it before he can comment properly. [/B]

yep...;)
he seemed to predict australia qualifing...
i don't have the quote, but he said that he doesn't want to praise the new car (though he was optimistic) before he tests it, because then, there is always a posibility that he starts the melbourne race back there with minardis ... ... ...

[jaguar2227]

i found some funny quotes on the planetF1

1993:
During his first GP at Suzuka Irvine twice unlapped himself after being lapped by Ayrton Senna. After which he made headlines by being punched by Senna in the Jordan motorhome. During the argument Senna accused Irvine of almost hitting him, to which Irvine responded: "A miss is as good as a mile."
And after the legendary punch he yelled "Insurance claim there!"

1994:
Still with Jordan Irvine was asked to take part in a photo shoot, but at the time was not interested. He told team boss Eddie Jordan: "Do I have to? Send out some f**ker in my helmet, they'll never know the difference"

1995:
Irvine told the Sunday Business Post about an encounter he had while trying to enter a nightclub in Dublin.
Bouncer: "Sorry sir, members only"
Irvine: "But I'm Eddie Irvine"
Bouncer: "P*ss off! Eddie Irvine is a famous racing driver. Stop wasting my time."


Irvine had a rather hot experience in Belgium when his car caught alight. He said: "I saw the flames and I thought 'Sh*t! This things on fire!'"

1996:
In his first year with Ferrari Eddie was asked why Schumacher's helmet had an odd shape replied: "Because he's German, he's got an odd shaped head."


1997:
ITV's Louise Goodman interviewed Irvine and called him Edmund. Irvine was not amused. Louise said that his mother called him that: "Well you are not my mum."


1998:
Irvine was asked to comment on Schumacher's Jerez crash and said: "Honestly, I think we all would have done the same. But I'd like to think I'd have made a better job of it!"

Irv was asked on Irish TV if he ever stopped by Damon Hill's Dublin house for a quick visit: "Well, to be honest, you'd have to be a pretty sad bastard to need a racing driver for a mate. I have normal friends and have the crack with them. Well, to be honest, most of the guys in Formula 1 just don't get it."

Irvine crashed into the side of Giancarlo Fisichella's Benetton: "I don't want to blame anyone, but I will say it wasn't my fault. I couldn't put the car into helicopter mode and suddenly disappear. He came out of the last corner very well and came alongside me. We braked at the same time and he turned in on me."

Having won the race in Argentina after predicting the win would go to Schumacher Irvine said in a post-race interview: "I tell you what, my bookie is not going to be too pleased. I put money on Michael to win and I put money on myself each-way as well. He'll be crying a bit today."

1999
Irvine was handed the No1 spot at Ferrari when Schumacher broke his leg at the British race: "Ferrari didn't hire me to win the world championship, but this is what they've asked for now and I'm going to try my best to deliver. To be Ferrari's number one driver is everybody's dream".

Irvine left Ferrari at the end of the 1999 season to join Jaguar. He said: "The timing is really fantastic. I was really desperate to get out of Ferrari this season, and I am a lucky, lucky guy. I could not have coped with another year because Michael Schumacher is so damn good. He is a back-breaker. He saps you, and the effort of working and competing with him drains you."

Irvine aims to retain his playboy image. "It's got me this far the way I do it. If you change it and get serious you are going to get depressed and you won't be as happy with your life. I have such a ball away from races that when I get to races I am actually looking forward to getting on with it. I'll be in the boat having a blast, but then on Thursday that'll stop. I'll get to the circuit relaxed and refreshed and that has got to put you in a better frame of mind."

After a poor performance at the European Grand Prix Irvine stated: "Life is strange, but F1 is simply crazy."

2000:
Irvine denied that his ambition was to be Britain's No1 driver: "It's not significant at all. I might just as well still be doing British F3. It carries no weight at all, does it? I might sell a few more hats, but that's not what I am in F1 to do."

From Life In The Fast Lane, Irvine said: "But fear is an irrational business. The things that really scare the **** out of me are earwigs, which used to infest our home in Ireland. I'd rather do 180mph around Monza than even see an earwig, let alone have one crawling around on me. I don't like snakes, either, but they are about the only two things that scare me, except for weddings, of course, and commitment, but that's another story."

Irvine finally reveals his role at Jaguar in 2000: "My job this year was to complain a lot about what was wrong. Hopefully, I won't have the need to do so much complaining."

2001
Irv proclaims his hopes for his second season with Jaguar: "It will be difficult to do that badly again. If we do that badly again we deserve a good kicking."

Irv voices his opinion on journalists: "To be honest, journalists have pages to fill and some people fill them better than others. Sometimes, it's very easy to make a headline by writing things that aren't true and some people go down that route and some people go down the route of trying to be honest, hardworking and investigate journalists. It doesn't affect me, it's great, I love being in the newspapers, it makes me more famous."

Irvine proclaims he is No2 in F1: "You know there is no-one in the pit lane that is better than me, except for Michael. I have no doubts about that."

2002:
Irvine claimed third place in Italy. It turned out to be his final F1 podium. Afterwards he said: "It's comforting to know that old farts like myself can still blow the pants off Formula One's young guns."


Irvine responds to a rather up David Coulthard: "I didn't call him a fag, I actually said he should stop being a fag and worrying about what I say."

2003:
Irvine announced that the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix was his final F1 race. "It's a sad day. I have decided not to drive in Formula One this year - or at least at the moment.
In July last year I made up my mind to drive for Jordan Grand Prix. I had very strong feelings about returning to the team which started my F1 career.
Unfortunately, due to the economic downturn, Jordan are forced to look for a driver who brings extra funds to the team whilst I can only bring speed, reliability and greater experience. It's a shame because I really would have enjoyed the rule changes, especially single-lap qualifying."

[Sonic]

I really should post more!!!! Its been a year and a half!!!!

Anybody i know out there still posting?