Eddie Irvine

Influenced by his parents who are also involved in racing, Eddie Irvine (born 10 November, 1965 in Bangor, Northern Ireland) began his racing career in 1983. He started Formula Three racing in 1988, before moving on to Formula 3000 in 1989. In 1990, he started racing for Jordan as a Japanese Formula 3000 driver before graduating with Jordan to Formula One in 1993.

Related Topics:
10 November - 1965 - Bangor - Northern Ireland - 1983 - Formula Three - 1988 - Formula 3000 - 1989 - 1990 - Jordan - Formula One - 1993

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In 1996 Eddie moved to Ferrari, leaving in 2000 to help establish the Jaguar team.

Related Topics:
1996 - Ferrari - 2000 - Jaguar

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In the early stages of his career Eddie Irvine was known to compete very fiercely. Even when he had a weaker car with which he only qualified for the rear of the grid, he had a tendency to "try to win a race at the start", often causing himself and others to exit a race in an untimely and untidy fashion.

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He was also noted for his personality, perhaps best described as anti-authoritarian. At his debut with Jordan in Suzuka 1993, Irvine, who had already been lapped, saw Ayrton Senna coming up behind him in his rear-view mirror. As a back-marker it was his duty to let Senna pass - and to let him pass without fuss, as the man behind was, after all, the great Senna. Irvine however refused to so, making Senna pass him as if they were racing for position. Incensed, Senna walked into the Jordan motorhome after the race finished and punched Irvine.

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Irvine is also remembered for his tendency to blatantly express his opinion and unabashedly irritate everyone more important than himself. (See his Wikiquote entry for a few of his best quotes.)

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His affinity for dangerous accidents began to dissipate when he moved to the Ferrari team. However, as the Formula One world became more technical and the driver personalities less distinctive, his non-conformist approach was generally appreciated. In an era where the private lives of Formula One drivers became much more staid (or at least less blatant) he was also an unabashed playboy in the style of earlier drivers such as James Hunt.

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Irvine is a friend of the frontman of U2, Bono, from whom he learnt to play the guitar.

Related Topics:
U2 - Bono

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Eddie Irvine is now considering setting up his own Formula One team from scratch following the collapse of talks with Minardi in 2005.

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