Irvine against Verstappen: the former Ferrari driver has taken a stand against the 4-time World Champion, as, according to him, there are other equally talented drivers.
Ferrari driver between 1996 and 1999, Eddie Irvine, lashed out at Max Verstappen during arguably the darkest and most difficult period of his career. The Northern Irish driver defined Max as “not indispensable” for Formula 1, in addition to touching on Mercedes and Ferrari themes.
In the face of Max Verstappen’s “threats” of retirement, the F1 world has split into two factions: those who support the Dutchman and those who condemn him. Eddie Irvine has certainly joined the second faction, going against the driver born in 1997 in Hasselt and defending the rest of the circus. These are the words of the former Ferrari man:
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“F1 does not need Max Verstappen, there are many talented drivers. It’s hard for him to be in the middle of the pack, but if he thinks about his salary, there are more than 50 million good reasons to stay,”
Eddie said.
Comments on Ferrari and Mercedes
Irvine also commented on the start of the season for Ferrari and Mercedes, praising the Scuderia’s good start and “forecasting” a future clash between Russell and Antonelli. These are the words on the Red team: “For Ferrari, everything is always very complicated. The epicenter of F1 is in the United Kingdom, the Red team is in Italy. Compared to last year, however, I believe they can win at least once. I wouldn’t say, though, that Hamilton is back to his best. In China, he stepped onto the podium for the first time, but that is his circuit. In Japan, he was outclassed by Leclerc all weekend.”
Asked about a possible clash between Antonelli and Russell, this was his response: “I am one hundred percent sure of it. The stakes are too high and the drivers are fast. That’s why Toto cannot intervene with team orders. He has lived through very tense situations, when Lewis Hamilton fought with Nico Rosberg and then with Max Verstappen. I think the seven-time world champion, who is one of the cleanest drivers in history, was frustrated because the Dutchman behaved like a bully.”
Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing
