Views on Irvine - retirement time?

Super Tourer · 31 May 2002, 17:12 (Ref:301760)

That canny old operator Lauda has pulled of a political masterstroke this week by giving Alonso a run in the Jag.

Alonso's performance has given him all the ammo he need's in his driver negotiations -IMO the loser could be Irvine.

Using the 'cover' as wanting Alonso as a bench mark for Courtney and Lotterer has uncorked a cunning plan for Lauda.

The fact that Alonso jumped straight into the car and outpaced De la Rosa is significant for Irvine as he has generally been outpaced by DLR. Irvine comes at a very high price and realistically has nowhere else to go.

I believe that DLR has a contract for 2003 (not that this means anything), whereas Irv doesn't. The influx of new talent has changed the driver market since Irv last negotiated a deal.

If Lauda does get a deal with Renault to 'borrow' Alonso, its a masterstroke for Jag and Alosno gets more race miles.

For Irvine it looks like retirement to me.

cos · 31 May 2002, 17:58 (Ref:301780)

IMO no team, especially not a team with such an international image such as Jaguar, can afford to run two Spanish drivers. Besides, Irvine is a great character, not just for Jag but for F1 in general.

**Adam43** · 31 May 2002, 18:52 (Ref:301793)

£8 million is too much just for a character. Being a character isn't necessarily a good thing for a team like Jaguar either! What Jaguar needs is someone with character that can lead them out of the current situation.

What Jaguar needs is a driver who can help develop the car and also a fast one. IMO Irvine fulfils neither of these roles.

Kex · 31 May 2002, 20:41 (Ref:301857)

Irvine's missed the boat. He peaked in 1999. I can't see him winning another race under normal circumstances.

Mr V · 31 May 2002, 20:42 (Ref:301858)

i think Eddie should (and will) call it quits at the end of the season for his own sake more than anything! he's proved what a good racer he is with a good car (the Ferrari) and in a s*** car (jag) he may not always out-qualify PDLR, but he usually out-races him, but the jaguar isn't going to get any better in the time Eddie has left in his F1 career, so he may aswell hang up his crash hat now.......i reckon he ought to commentate on SKY DIGITAL, he wouldn't be scared to say what he's thinkng, thats for sure!

f1manoz · 1 Jun 2002, 00:34 (Ref:302047)

Irvine should leave at the end of the season. He's been outperformed on a regular basis ever since PDLR started driving for the team (but poor PDLR has appalling luck.)

Seeing how contracts are honoured of late, who's to say PDLR is even assured of a seat?

We could very well see two new drivers in a Jaguar next year.

Valve Bounce · 1 Jun 2002, 00:43 (Ref:302054)

You guys have got it all wrong. Eddie is the second best driver in F1, and as such should not retire.
As for having two Spanish drivers in the team, pour the hell quoi not?? At least the team won't have that many gaffs with an Irish accent.

The idea is to have a winning team, not a bloody incessant whinger.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/05/31/ore...ent/index.html

DNQ · 1 Jun 2002, 01:04 (Ref:302064)

I think Irvine's time is up, or at least, should be. That is not to slam him, if he gets a new contract, than good on him, but I feel that his only damaging his reputation by not retiring when he's still got some credibility in store.

Alan Jones · 1 Jun 2002, 01:06 (Ref:302067)

Time to got to CART Eddie, I reckon that would be excellent!!!

slicktoast · 1 Jun 2002, 01:08 (Ref:302068)

You mean he isn't already retired?

senna12 · 1 Jun 2002, 01:46 (Ref:302075)

Eddie's age and salary are working against him. There are drivers just as quick, and much cheaper, than Eddie. As for 2 Spaniards in the team, I really don't think that matters at all in Alonso's case, as he is very highly regarded, enough so to overcome any issues of nationality.

It is probably his friendship with Niki that has spared his hide so far.

freud · 1 Jun 2002, 03:34 (Ref:302109)

I, for one, am a closet Eddie fan. He is not afraid to speak his mind and is a certain 'character'. But as Adamsashore said rightly:

Quote:

£8 million is too much just for a character. Being a character isn't necessarily a good thing for a team like Jaguar either! What Jaguar needs is someone with character that can lead them out of the current situation.

Jaguar needs a solid driver like Heidfeld.

f1manoz · 1 Jun 2002, 06:49 (Ref:302129)

NO!!!

Not Heidfeld!!!!

Let him stay at Sauber. At least he has a chance at regular points, unlike the truck-like Jaguar, which is dicing with Minardi's.

**Adam43** · 1 Jun 2002, 08:57 (Ref:302150)

Quote:

Originally posted by mr v
i reckon he ought to commentate on SKY DIGITAL

oh please no

Quote:

he wouldn't be scared to say what he's thinkng, thats for sure!

This I can't disagree with, but while I prefer someone who says what they feel, I also respect people who shut up when there is nothing to say (or nothing good to say).

Mr V · 1 Jun 2002, 09:42 (Ref:302158)

Quote:

Originally posted by AlanJones
Time to got to CART Eddie, I reckon that would be excellent!!!

Eddie has said in the past that he would never race in CART, too dangerous he said, but wouldn't mind having his own team.

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamAshmore

This I can't disagree with, but while I prefer someone who says what they feel, I also respect people who shut up when there is nothing to say (or nothing good to say).

why have they got John Watson commentating then? he doesn't know when to shut up!

Guy Goddard2 · 2 Jun 2002, 07:59 (Ref:302677)

As good as Eddie may/or may not be he's not really 8 million's worth of driver and to trawl around at the back of the grid and racing with Minardi and Arrows (no disrespect) cannot give him any satisfaction as 3 years ago he was lapping them in a Ferrari.
Better to be a No1 in a back of the grid team or be No2 in a front running team?
He was good for Ferrari's image however Eddie got a bit lost thinking the grass was greener on the other side..and as we know a green Jaguar is certainly not.

I hope he doesnt go but its a bit like JV, price yourself out of the market leaves you one option to stay with a dreadful car and hope it improves.

Regards

Guy

Miss Hardt · 2 Jun 2002, 16:02 (Ref:302847)

Please retire,please retire!!!!!! I will open a champagen for that!

Martin de Miguel · 2 Jun 2002, 17:19 (Ref:302867)

I am sorry for Eddie, he is a nice fella but as a business Manager, is inadmisible that your second driver (exact words from Eddie`s telemetry engineer) is the highest paid employee in the whole corporation specially when somebody else is doing the job better and cheaper, full stop. Eddie if u want to stay in F1 change teams and reduce by 5 your salary pretensions, this is a personal advice,take or leave it.

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