Salo Regrets Giving up GP Win for Irvine

Finnish Mika Salo revealed he has regrets about giving up the chance to win the 1999 German Grand Prix, when he was asked to move over for Eddie Irvine, stating he won't be repeating that move again in his career.

Salo was replacing Michael Schumacher back then, while the German was nursing his broken leg from his accident at the start of the British Grand Prix. The German Grand Prix was the second of six races Salo was driving for Ferrari, and was well within a shot to win the race, when he was asked to move over for Irvine, who eventually went on to win it.

However, Salo says his help was unnecessary since Irvine himself did not go on to win the World Championship that year. "I regret moving over because in the end it didn't make any difference", the Finn told Britain's Sunday Mirror.

"But it was my job to help Eddie and, as soon as I was told to let him through, I did. I could have won that race, no question, and now I still don't have a Grand Prix win."

Salo also said the first win won't come easy, but he believes Toyota will be eventually in a position to give him that maiden victory. "I came here because I could see the team's potential. We can't expect to win straight away but we can get there," he said.

"It's impossible to say how good the car is. We'll only begin to know when we start racing. But whatever it takes I'll be looking for that first win - and this time I won't give it anyway."