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Eddie Irvine |
Eddie Irvine
Born: 10 November 1965, Northern Ireland
Grand Prix Starts: 146
Grand Prix Victories: 4
Points Total:191
Having performed well in F3000, Eddie Irvine made his GP debut for Jordan in 1993 at Suzuka. The race produced his first championship point, but was more noteworthy for the spat — which came to blows afterwards — with race winner Ayrton Senna, who took exception to an overtaking manoeuvre from a driver he had already lapped...
There was further controversy at the first race of 1994, Interlagos, where Irvine received a one-race ban for his part in a pile-up, which was increased to three races at appeal.
His podium debut came at the 1995 Canadian GP, but in the championship Jordan lagged the field. In 1996 Irvine signed for Ferrari, only to find himself playing a supporting role to Michael Schumacher. He picked up useful points in 1997, including a fine second in Argentina, but was always conscious of playing second fiddle. He notched 47 points to finish fourth in the 1998 title race, and the following year, with Schumacher sidelined through injury, Irvine finally got full team backing. After three victories he went into the final round two points behind Mika Hakkinen, but was unable to overtake him. Irvine left Ferrari in 2000 to lead Jaguar's assault on F1, but three seasons yielded only few noteworthy results, and after scoring just 8 points in 2002 his contract was not renewed.