Happy 59th Birthday, Eddie Irvine.
After an initial interest in 2 wheels and a trip to the F1 British Grand Prix, Eddie’s parents persuaded him to move to Formula Ford.
He took a first win in 1984, and won the championship and the prestigious Formula Ford Festival in 1987 with Van Diemen
That winter he was successful in a test organised by Marlboro and secured a drive in British F3 with West Surrey Racing for 1988 – finishing 5th overall.
1989 brought a move to International F3000 where Eddie took 9th in the standings before a move to Eddie Jordan’s team, winning races in Japan & taking a podium in the Macau Grand Prix.
His F1 break came with Jordan in 1993, taking a point on his debut at Suzuka, famously unlapping himself past race winner Ayrton Senna.
Two years at Jordan brought 7 points finishes & a first podium in Canada in 1995, before a marquee move to Ferrari in 1996 alongside Michael Schumacher.
His first outing brought 3rd place in Australia, but 10 retirements derailed a promising start.
1997 & 1998 brought 13 podiums and 7th & 4th overall before a maiden win in Melbourne in 1999.
3 more wins followed as he finished runner up to Mika Häkkinen after Schumacher broke a leg at Silverstone.
Three years at Jaguar followed, where Irvine took 2 podiums (one in Monaco in 2001) before he leaving F1 a year later
Eddie also took a class victory & 2nd overall in the 1994 24 Heures du Mans with Toyota, and since retiring has become hugely successful in high-end property development in the USA & Caribbean.
Outspoken, flamboyant, an enjoyer of life – it is often forgotten that he was a rather good racing driver.
Many Happy Returns, Eddie ????????
