Eddie Irvine

Eddie Irvine is a former Northern Irish racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1993 to 2002. Best known for his stint with Ferrari, Irvine finished runner-up in the 1999 Formula One World Championship, narrowly losing out to Mika Häkkinen.

His motorsport career began in the Formula Ford Championship at the age of 17, where his early success led to subsequent participation in Formula Three and Formula 3000. Irvine made his Formula One debut in 1993 with Jordan Grand Prix, quickly gaining notoriety for his aggressive driving style and involvement in on- and off-track incidents. His first Formula One podium came in 1995 while still with Jordan.

Irvine’s career peaked in 1999 after moving to Ferrari in 1996, where he stepped into the role of lead driver following Michael Schumacher’s injury mid-season. Irvine won four races that year and came close to claiming the championship, ultimately finishing just two points behind Häkkinen. After Ferrari, Irvine moved to Jaguar Racing in 2000, where he continued to be a prominent figure and scored the team's first podium in 2001. He retired from Formula One in 2002 after securing a total of 26 podium finishes across his career.

Since retiring, Irvine has remained active in various business and media ventures. He explored opportunities to acquire the Jordan and Minardi Formula One teams in 2005, though these deals did not come to fruition. Irvine’s primary focus has shifted to the property market, where he has built a lucrative real estate portfolio, initially developed during his racing career. He is also a frequent media personality, providing punditry and commentary on motorsport, especially Formula One.

Irvine’s business acumen extends beyond property investment, as he has been involved in multiple entrepreneurial projects since retiring from racing. He remains a significant figure in the motorsport community, known not only for his racing achievements but also for his outspoken and colorful personality, which continues to attract media attention.