rpm.espn.com: Users: Outspoken Irvine old, over-rated

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Saturday, January 5
Users: Outspoken Irvine old, over-rated
ESPN.com

Here's what users had to say about Jaguar's Eddie Irvine, his past season and his future prospects:

Irvine lead Jaguar to better things? Irvine couldn't lead a sewing circle to the bingo parlor. At the least, Irvine has a rather inexperienced teammate to deal with, who will probably continue to outqualify Irvine. Jaguar is a sorry lot and so is Irvine. Irvine may show occasional flashes of talent in that terrible car, but he will never be able to lead a team like Prost did, Senna did, Schumacher does ...

Todd Michaels
Lake Mary, Fla.

I think that time is running out for Eddie. I do think he can and will run in the lead pack if given the car to do so. I don't think Niki is the person to make this all happen. Maybe Eddie should have encouraged the move to Jordan midway thru the year.

Bruce Densford
Grand Prairie, Texas

If Eddie Irvine's ability was as grand as his ego, he'd probably have made Michael Schumacher look like an ordinary driver. He is simply a poor driver, you don't earn the name "Irv the Swerve" for nothing. He proved his mediocrity the year Schumi broke his leg. Irvine had a dominant car, and could not close the deal on a championship.

Jerry Olcsvary
Princeton, N.J.

An overpaid, spoiled and egotistical driver whose ability does match his ego. He considers himself the second best driver in Formula One. Unfortunately, his stats say otherwise. I can't see Ford paying it's highest employee a king's ransom unless he gets results, and chances are, they won't be forthcoming.

Joe
Boston

Irvine is a capable veteran whose best days are behind him. He'll give bring the car home in one piece, but he will never flatter it. Occasionally, Irvine will turn in an inspired drive, but those days are getting more and more rare. I beleive he is solid choice for this year, but after that Jaguar must look elsewhere to rise above their mid-field status.

Nick
Quincy, Mass.

Obviously, Irvine's career is winding down. Still, his third-place finish at Monaco showed he can race to the front of the pack when Jaguar gets their setup right. Unfortunately for Eddie, that didn't happen very often last year. Perhaps this season with Lauda as the sole authority at the Leaping Cat, a reliable and competitive car will present itself for 2002. Irvine will surely benefit if that is the case, but he might not have enough left in his tank to hold off the young Pedro de la Rosa. Definitely a make or retire season for the Irishman.

John Zile
Walnut Creek, Calif.

Eddie still has the spark, but he is already old by F1 standards. So, if he does well or not I do not believe he will be around next year at Jaguar of F1 for that matter. But, he would be perfect for CART and an attraction at CARTs European races. He has a personality which unfortunately seems to be a detriment in F1, but would be welcomed here in the states!

Victor Martino
San Jose, Calif.

Irvine should change his last name to Cheever. He whines about how slow the Jag is, how evil his faster teammate Pedro de la Rosa is, how Jean Todt was a fool not to make him the lead driver at Ferrari and demote Michael Schumacher. This guy is the Jeff George of racing. He belongs in NASCAR Trucks.

Rick Dudley
Seattle, Wash.

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