Rahal gives Irvine his vote of confidence
Jaguar Racing boss Bobby Rahal has hit back at recent criticism of his lead driver Eddie Irvine by saying the Ulsterman is as committed as ever and not afraid of hard work
Irvine has developed a reputation as the 'bad boy' in Formula 1 over recent years. Since moving to Jaguar last year, after finishing second to Mika Hakkinen in the 1999 title race, the 35 year old has been accused of not taking his role with the struggling team seriously enough.
The criticism culminated in comments from former grand prix driver and fellow Ulsterman John Watson, who said last week that the Jaguar number one was in 'cruise and collect' mode.
"Eddie is still extremely committed," Rahal told Autsport's sister title Autocar. "If you've got to this level, you've got to be pretty confident in your abilities, given the right situation. If he was coasting, his lack of passion would be obvious."
Irvine himself reacted to the criticism while testing at Valencia in Spain last week, and believes his testing workload is proof enough that the comments are misplaced.
"Well, the lazy bastard is in the middle of a four-day test at Valencia," a deadpan Irvine told British national paper The Daily Telegraph. "It's comical. Look how much testing I've done in the last two years - every winter, all winter, since I came to Jaguar."
Despite Rahal's comments in support of his star driver, rumours suggest that the Jaguar management are hoping Pedro de la Rosa, who was promoted into the team's second race seat in place of Luciano Burti before the Spanish Grand Prix, will put more pressure on Irvine.
"In 24 races, I have only been out-qualified by my team mate three times," said Irvine.
Irvine was consistently half a second faster than de la Rosa at Valencia last week and out-qualified the Spaniard by seven places for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Previous article
Minardi strikes out at Toyota’s Brunner deal
Next article
Williams not stymied by diffuser clarification
The tough balancing act facing Schumacher’s Netflix film producers
Michael Schumacher is the latest sporting superstar to get the ‘Netflix treatment’, with a special documentary film airing on the US streaming giant’s platform this month. DAMIEN SMITH has the inside track on how the filmmakers gained access to tell the human story behind one of Formula 1’s most publicity-shy champions - while the man himself, for obvious reasons, is in absentia…
The times that suggest Verstappen should be confident of F1 Russian GP recovery
For the second race in a row, Mercedes has ended the first day of track action on top. It’s in a commanding position at the Russian Grand Prix once again – this time largely thanks to Max Verstappen’s upcoming engine-change grid penalty. But there’s plenty to suggest all hope is not lost for the championship leader at Sochi
The ‘backwards step’ that is the right move for Formula 1
OPINION: With its days apparently numbered, the MGU-H looks set to be dropped from Formula 1’s future engine rules in order to entice new manufacturers in. While it may appear a change of direction, the benefits for teams and fans could make the decision a worthwhile call
The floundering fortunes of F1’s many Lotus reboots
Team Lotus ceased to exist in 1994 - and yet various parties have been trying to resurrect the hallowed name, in increasingly unrecognisable forms, ever since. DAMIEN SMITH brings GP Racing’s history of the legendary team to an end with a look at those who sought to keep the flame alive in Formula 1
Why the 2021 title fight is far from F1's worst, despite its toxic background
OPINION: Formula 1 reconvenes for the Russian Grand Prix two weeks after the latest blow in ‘Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton’. While the Silverstone and Monza incidents were controversial, they thankfully lacked one element that so far separates the 2021 title fight from the worst examples of ugly championship battles
How F1’s other champion to emerge from 1991 thrived at Lotus
Mika Hakkinen became Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival in Formula 1 in the late-90s and early 2000s, having also made his F1 debut in 1991. But as MARK GALLAGHER recalls, while Schumacher wowed the world with a car that was eminently capable, Hakkinen was fighting to make his mark with a famous team in terminal decline
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
