Irvine Hits Back at Barrichello

Jaguar driver Eddie Irvine has hit back at Brazilian Rubens Barrichello after the Ferrari driver berated the Irishman on Sunday.

Ferrari driver Barrichello claimed Irvine had held him up while trying to lap him at yesterday's San Marino Grand Prix, the Brazilian gesturing at Irvine on the track and later saying that the Irishman says one thing and does another.

But the outspoken Irvine has defended himself, saying that Barrichello did not take the initiative when lapping him.

"I might be older than Rubens but I'll never be as ugly," Irvine was quoted as saying by The Sun. "He is just being over-emotional as usual. I had already let Ralf by and I looked in the mirror and saw Rubens coming and was quite prepared to do the same for him.

"I always race fairly and had nothing to gain in holding him up. But he didn't take the initiative. He should learn to count because it was only two corners later that I let him by."

Barrichello went on to finish the race in second place behind teammate Michael Schumacher, while Irvine retired with mechanical problems.