Eddie Irvine, the man who was Michael Schumacher’s No 2 at Ferrari for four years, gives his views on the Austrian GP fiasco.
Outspoken Jaguar Racing driver, Eddie Irvine, knows what it means to defer to Michael Schumacher. The Irishman drove for Ferrari from 1996 to 1999 and as Number Two driver, had to relinquish his position to Schumacher on several occasions to maximise the German’s position in the world championship standings.
Speaking to this week, Irvine said that although he understood Ferrari’s need for team orders, he felt the Scuderia had “missed the big picture when they ordered Rubens Barrichello to move over so Schumacher could win the Austrian Grand Prix”.
“Schumacher is now coasting towards a record-equalling fifth world title but who really gives a damn any more? It is not collecting more silverware that matters but the style in which you do it.”
Until Schumacher won the world crown with Ferrari in 2000 the Italian team had spent 21 years struggling to reach the top. But now that Ferrari are virtually unbeatable it should look further a field, instead of just trying to win more championships at the risk of tainting the sport’s image, the Irishman said.
“At the beginning of the season, Ferrari said Barrichello would be allowed to win the Australian Grand Prix if he was ahead of Michael. I believe that to be true. But the moment Barrichello crashed out in Melbourne and Schumacher went on to win the race, the Brazilian’s chances of battling at the front had gone.
“Michael came away with maximum points and was therefore the team’s best bet for the title. But there is no point in climbing Everest five times and always taking the easy route. To continue gaining satisfaction from success you have to find greater challenges,” he added.
Irvine has refused to apportion blame for the now infamous incident on the last lap of the Austrian Grand Prix. The Irishman has taken a neutral position, especially as he too has been in the same situation. Irvine was ordered to move over to allow Michael one extra point in France in 1999, a move that could have made a difference in his quest for championship honours.
“For me, there are two ways of looking at the A1- Ring situation that caused an outcry around the world. Ferrari is now a well-oiled machine – with the best car, best technical brains and the biggest budget. They are also the only team who enforce such a strict division between their Number One and Number Two driver.
“I can see it from the team’s point of view because their brief is to deliver the world championship. If that is all that matters to Ferrari, the sponsors, the shareholders and all the rest of the people who have a financial interest – fine. But it is not a very stylish way of doing business,” he added.
Irvine said that although the team and its drivers were severely criticised for the incident, the Austrian Grand Prix result has not been detrimental to F1 – only to Ferrari and Schumacher. The Irishman also revealed that Ferrari’s technical director, Ross Brawn, was “viciously ambitious” in his quest to ensure that Ferrari win the championship.
“Michael is blameless, because his hands are tied just as much as Rubens’ are. Forget the millions that he is paid, the wins he has delivered – or his status within the team. He is just another employee who has to do as he is told. If he had gone against the team’s wishes, it would have resulted in anarchy. Besides, Schumacher is a true professional and team player.
“If the finger has to be pointed in any direction it must be at team boss Jean Todt and Brawn. Ross is a great guy but also a viciously ambitious person and nothing must get in the way of Ferrari winning the World Championship. That is his brief and he wants to fulfil it,” Irvine added.
“I drove alongside Michael for four years and never disobeyed an instruction. If I had ignored their pleas to move over for Michael in the 1999 French Grand Prix so he could gain an extra point I would have been sacked. The fact Schumacher later broke his leg and my actions in France ultimately cost me the title, is immaterial.”
Meanwhile, Schumacher could be facing charges of betting fraud in Italy and Austria following his controversial victory on Sunday.
“We are not going to let Ferrari make fools of us,” said Austrian businessman Wolfgang Poeltl, who also intends to take Barrichello and the Ferrari team to court in a class action.
And in Italy, two consumer protection organisations have contacted the state prosecutor with a view to legal action, reported.
