Fast Eddie reckons current F1 drivers may
The site of F1’s return holds fond memories for Eddie Irvine.
Back in 1999, the Red Bull Ring – then known as the A1-ring – was the venue for one of his four wins that season in his Ferrari.
He ended up second behind the Flying Finn, Mika Hakkinen, in the Drivers’ Championship that year – his highest-ever finish – as his team leader, Michael Schumacher, recovered from a broken leg suffered at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Irvine, who quit F1 at the end of the 2002 season, has never been far from controversy.
Be it duelling for position on circuits worldwide or in his personal life, which has included being sentenced to a six-month prison spell after a brawl in a Milan nightclub in 2014, although he did not actually spend any time behind bars.
And, as today’s protagonists get set to put their pedal to the metal, the 54-year-old hasn’t changed.
The Irishman is critical of how much technology plays a part is separating the winners from the alsorans in F1.
Asked how the modern era compares to his own, or even before, Irvine said: “Circuits have become more perfect since my time and, as a result, are less challenging. “The new city street circuits are extremely beautiful, but with excessive escape routes. “The safety of a driver must never be up for discussion. But I’d like to see those who make mistakes not be able to take advantage of