Eddie Irvine, 15 years later

Eddie Irvine had not been to Maranello since 1999, when he was last a driver for Scuderia Ferrari, over a four year period from 1996. It was a step back in time for the Irishman, here just to enjoy catching up with old friends and to have a look at how the factory has changed.

“It’s fantastic to be here after such a long time and it’s really surprising to see how much things have changed since I was last here,” he told www.ferrari.com during a one-off factory tour laid on for him, which went from the new production areas and ended at the Gestione Sportiva. “I saw a lot changes everywhere, such as the work on the historic cars, which is a passion of mine, that’s really incredible, as is the level of technology now used in the production areas. I’ve got nothing but nice memories of the four years I spent here, even if in the beginning it was a disaster because of all the problems we had with the car.

It was an incredible opportunity and a great honour, that any driver would want to experience at least once in his life.”He did not seem to think much of the new Formula 1: “I always watch the races, even if I’m not particularly keen on the new things like the boost button and the DRS, the fact the noise has gone and having races in countries with no motor sport tradition.” However, the former Ferrari driver feels the current season is producing plenty of excitement and that the next one should be even better.” It’s great to see the drivers fighting. Ferrari needs to make a step forward and I think it can do it, so that next year will be even more interesting.”...

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