Irvine Says He Feels a Weight Off his Shoulders

Eddie Irvine says he feels a weight has fallen from his shoulders after turning his back on Formula One.

The Northern Irishman told the Sun newspaper on Friday that he now intended to 'let rip' and enjoy other dangerous sports that he had to forego as a racing driver.

Irvine, overall runner-up with Ferrari in 1999, announced on Thursday that he would not be in Formula One this year after losing his drive with Jaguar and failing to secure the sole remaining slot at Jordan.

"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," said the 37-year-old. "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."

Irvine said snowboarding and riding motocross bikes topped his immediate list.

"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," he told the newspaper.

Irvine's big chance in 1999 came after Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher broke his leg at the British Grand Prix. "It doesn't matter if I injure myself now," Irvine said.