No Jordan drive for Irvine

Eddie Irvine will not be competing in Formula One this season after discussions with Jordan collapsed, the team deciding to look for someone with more financial backing. Irvine had committed himself to Jordan, with whom he started his F1 career in ...

Eddie Irvine will not be competing in Formula One this season after discussions with Jordan collapsed, the team deciding to look for someone with more financial backing. Irvine had committed himself to Jordan, with whom he started his F1 career in the early nineties, but despite agreeing to a big salary drop, the Irishman could not produce the funds to secure the race seat.

Eddie Irvine.

Photo by Jaguar Racing.

"It's a sad day. I have decided not to drive in Formula One this year -- or at least at the moment," he told UK's the Sun newspaper, for which he writes a column. "In July last year I made up my mind to drive for Jordan Grand Prix. I had very strong feelings about returning to the team which started my F1 career."

"Unfortunately, due to the economic downturn, Jordan are forced to look for a driver who brings extra funds to the team whilst I can only bring speed, reliability and greater experience. It's a shame because I really would have enjoyed the rule changes, specially single-lap qualifying."

Irvine had been linked with Jordan for quite some time, at one point a favourite contender to partner Giancarlo Fisichella, and is naturally very disappointed that he didn't get the drive: "It's a huge shame," he commented. "I was really looking forward to driving for Jordan this season."

"Driving alongside Giancarlo Fisichella would have been fantastic. I'd have been working with a driver I really respect. I've always had a lot of affection for Jordan as a team. They gave me my big break in 1993 and I thought I could end my career with them."

With Irvine out of the picture, who will get the Jordan drive is still anyone's guess. Felipe Massa and Enrique Bernoldi have been mentioned: Bernoldi reportedly still has the personal backing of Red Bull, the energy drink manufacturer, and Massa is rumoured to have picked up their sponsorship as well. However, it's all speculation and Jordan is so far remaining non-committal on the subject.