Eddie Irvine silenced the doubters yesterday to revitalise Ferrari's pursuit of the Formula One world drivers' championship title by winning the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1 Ring in Spielberg. The Ulsterman inherited the number one drive at the Italian team following Michael Schumacher's accident at the British Grand Prix two weeks ago, but with the German former world champion likely to need at least three months to recuperate from a double fracture to his right leg, many doubted Irvine's candidacy for the title. Yesterday, Irvine proved the critics wrong, taking his Ferrari to the chequered flag despite the determined pursuit of David Coulthard, driving for McLaren Mercedes. Irvine's victory bolsters Ferrari's challenge and the 10 points gained for the team means it maintains its two-point lead at the top of the constructors' title race. But it is the drivers' title that the team most wishes to secure. Ferrari has not secured that honour since Jody Scheckter won for the team in 1979 and yesterday's win moves Irvine to within two points of leading driver and defending world champion Mika Hakkinen, also driving for McLaren.
The win in Spielberg is Irvine's second grand prix victory of the season. He won the opening race of the season in Australia, but yesterday's result was, he admitted, even more satisfying than his first. "This was the nicest chequered flag I've ever seen," he said.
Irvine has been under enormous pressure to perform since inheriting the lead drive with Ferrari and while he had played down the significance of his new role prior to the race, yesterday he admitted he had been under some strain. "I couldn't sleep at all on Friday night and on Saturday night I was still struggling. But tonight, I'm going to sleep like a baby," he said.
Irvine's next test is the German Grand Prix at the Hockenheim circuit on Sunday.