Irvine in demand again!

[Ruptured Duck Motorsport]

Good to see Irvine in demand.... not by an F1 team tho'!!  BWAHAHAHAAHAHA!!!

An arrest warrant has been issued for Northern Ireland racing driver Eddie Irvine who failed to turn up at court to answer a speeding charge.

The 38-year-old, whose address was given as Green Road, Conlig, near Bangor in County Down, is alleged to have exceeded a 30 mph limit on a scooter in London's Hyde Park in July this year.

He was also charged with having no licence or insurance.

The former Jordan and Ferrari racing driver, who won four Grand Prix in Formula One, failed to appear before Bow Street Magistrates Court in London last month and sentencing was adjourned until Wednesday.

The facts were proved in his absence at last month's court hearing and when he again failed to appear, and the court heard there was no contact from him, the warrant with bail was issued.

[Robbo SPS]

It sounds worse than it is....Warrant with bail,

In other words , where are you living son...

you cant even get him through the back door. And what a scalp that would be .............

[Fax]

Jesus I was really hoping that clown would just fall off the face of the planet.  Probably the most over-rated driver in the history of the sport.  Drove for Ferrari for all those years and in ten years time he'll only be remembered for getting his face filled in by Senna at Suzuka in '93.
John

[Matt Harper]

'kin hell Fax, steady on, old son! I always thought Eddie was a bit of a w**k*r, but he did win a few GPs and even had to park so that Shoe Maker could drive by for the points on more than one occasion.
I will always bow to your superior knowledge in all things auto racing connected - but credit where it's due, old sport!
Some would argue that my mum could have won GP's in that Ferrari, but I suspect there's a little more to it than cruising round, lapping people.
You having a bad day up there in the perma-frost John?

[Mr. Rick]

Have to say I think he gets bad press. Yes he can be a tad prima-donna'esque at times but just indulge me for a few mins and let me take you back to 1994..........

He was close buddies with the late Roland Ratzenberger and stepped in to take his drive in a Toyota at Le Mans a few weeks after his friend perished at San Marino as way of a tribute. The team so very nearly won and only lost due to a failed gear linkage which dropped them to 3rd with only 90 minutes remaining. The win was gone but Eddie's charge to reclaim 2nd at the Ford chicanes on the last lap but one at the expense of Thierry Boutsen will live with me forever.

And having just lost the race which would, amongst other things, have meant a great send off for his friend, you'd think the last thing anyone would want to do would be accosted buy some very pissed Brits hassling for autographs and photos in the paddock - well Eddie obliged. Unfortunately I've long since lost touch with the guy whose camera I used but Eddie chatted for ages and we were clearly several sheets to the wind but he was having a right laugh with us for quite some time.

See, he's not such a bad bloke!

I did a little piece on him for MB which is at http://www.maisonblanche.co.uk/irvinelm.html if anyone gives a hoot!

[Fax]

Sorry, never been able to stomach the guy.  Shot off with his mouth saying that he was the second fastest driver in F1, had the world championship handed to him on a silver platter when Schumacher broke his leg and f**k*ng dropped the ball!  Salo stepped into the other car and was insantly as quick as Irvine. Both of them got their doors blown off by Hakkinen.  I think if Irvine had worked half as hard at his driving as he did at pimping himself he might have more to show than a handfull of wins.  Also got really tired of his contrived attempts at being controversial.   If your gonna talk the talk you'd better be able to walk the walk...and he didn't.  Good riddance!
John

[Mr. Rick]

OK Fax, don't think I'll ever be able to sway you on this one then!

Have to say I was a smidgeon disappointed when he dropped the ball championship wise too, but hey-ho, guess Old Spoonface didn't want anyone but him to bring that title back to Maranello but him. Can't remember exactly how that last race panned out but I remember Schumi had to pass Mika or something and just sat on his tail for yonks with none of his customary jiggery-pokery & tactics - all seemed a little odd to me. But no, Eddie didn't really deserve the title, Salo should have won in Germany for sure.

This is all a bit distant for me, so apologies if my facts are tainted. Unlike LM, I have virtually no F1 reference library to refer to. Long since bored with it and sold on ebay!!

[Ruptured Duck Motorsport]

Being a great bloke doesnt make him a great racing driver, he did shoot his mouth off more than once, and that is probably more due to not thinking before he speaks, but rather that, than a grid full of Raikonen ZZZzzzzzzz.....

Anyone who makes it into F1 or gets podiums at Le Mans is a good driver, not a doubt about that, but his career just doesnt sparkle like the "second best driver" in the world's CV should do.

There are now, and were during his time, far better drivers than him, I am glad he left F1, Webber has done far more for the Milton Keynes based squad than Irv the Swirve did, and for a fraction of the cost.

Quick Capsule Review: He was a second rate F1 driver with a first rate ego.

[Fax]

Above and beyond his big mouth, what bothered my about him the most was that I've always felt that once a driver makes it to the level of F1, he owe's it to his team, and his supporters to absolutely bleed commitment and I never had that impression from him.  He always seemed more devoted to being a Grand Prix celebrity than he was to be a  World Champion driver.  Kimi may be as charasmatic as a tree stump but there's no question about his commitment as a racing driver.
John