Lauda investigates Irvine to Jordan offer

[Nicholas]

I haven't got much time, so I just ripped this off Autosport...

Did Rahal offer Irvine to Jordan after Frentzen sacking?


Jaguar Racing and Cosworth overlord Niki Lauda will next week investigate reports that Jaguar offered to sell Eddie Irvine to Jordan after Heinz-Harald Frentzen was sacked.

Sources in the Hungary paddock on Sunday confirmed Jaguar boss Bobby Rahal and Jordan boss Eddie Jordan had a conversation on the topic. But the move was reportedly blocked by Lauda.

Irvine held meetings with both Rahal and Lauda the morning before the Hungarian Grand Prix when the story leaked out. The offer was made before Jean Alesi was signed up as Frentzen’s replacement.

"I don’t want to talk about it now, but we will be looking into it next week," said an unusually reticent Lauda.

Irvine’s manager Enrico Zanarini has confirmed the offer was made, but refused to say more.

Jaguar have been linked in recent weeks with unsigned McLaren ace Mika Hakkinen and out of contract Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella.

Irvine entered Formula 1 with Jordan in 1993 and was sold on to Ferrari in 1996 as Michael Schumacher's team mate .

Other Ford sources have tried to suggest the offer was a light-hearted one not to be taken seriously, while others in the paddock say the story may have been leaked by Jordan to cause maximum embarassment to the rival Jaguar boss.

[racer69]

There may be some truth in that, but Irvine is on the good side of Lauda and apparently Rahal, judging by an interview Neil Crompton did with him. But Irvine seems always to be linked with Jordan, he was at the end of 99, and now again, who nows. Jag would be better off replacing De La Rosa.

[Alan Jones]

If this is true, Jag must jave a big gun lined up to replace Irv, seems ludicrous when you consider Irv's performance this year.

[Don K]

Originally posted by nicholaswhite
Jaguar Racing and Cosworth overlord Niki Lauda will next week investigate reports that Jaguar offered to sell Eddie Irvine to Jordan after Heinz-Harald Frentzen was sacked.

Sources in the Hungary paddock on Sunday confirmed Jaguar boss Bobby Rahal and Jordan boss Eddie Jordan had a conversation on the topic. But the move was reportedly blocked by Lauda.

So according to Autosport, Laudo first blocked the offer, and now wants to investigate whether or not an offer has been made?
Doesn't sound very logical to me ...

[EERO]

It sounds like a red herring to me to be an excuse for ditching Rahal.

Poor Bobby, loses Brack to Ganassi and he is publicly humiliated by Lauda and rumoured to be a rolling head soon.

He doesn't deserve it-he's a good guy and real racer.
Now that Irvine is rumoured to be sacked, what't the point of sacking Rahal if Hakkinen joins?

[Bononi]

That's the perfect image of Jaguar; confusing, rumouring, one sacking another, and little eficiency...

[economy_waffle]

doesnt sound like the "stewart" we all knew and loved...

[mjstallard]

Originally posted by economy_waffle
doesnt sound like the "stewart" we all knew and loved...

Hey, maybe Ford can be persuaded to sell the team back to JYS for a knock down price, and Johnny Herbert can come back and be WDC. They can always pretend that they still own them or something, maybe send Lauda in now and then to pace up and down the pitlane, much like JYS does the moment. Ho-hum, we can but dream

[Bononi]

Originally posted by mjstallard


Hey, maybe Ford can be persuaded to sell the team back to JYS for a knock down price, and Johnny Herbert can come back and be WDC. They can always pretend that they still own them or something, maybe send Lauda in now and then to pace up and down the pitlane, much like JYS does the moment. Ho-hum, we can but dream

Yep, only dream... but that's a lesson this guys should learn...

[Nicholas]

I've wanted to ask this for ages, but never got around to do so: Just what is JYS's job at the moment if he is no longer boss?