Eddie Irvine: Verstappen Is Probably The Ultimate Talent
An interview with Former F1 driver Eddie Irvine regarding the talent of Max Verstappen, the time he had with Michael Schumacher, and the 2021 title race.
2021 Formula 1 season is fast approaching. The former F1 driver Eddie Ervine talked to Betway and shared his thoughts about the impact of Drive to Survive, the title race between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, and being the teammate of Michael Schumacker.
With Channel 4’s coverage and Netflix’s Drive To Survive, how successfully is F1 engaging new audiences?
I think Formula 1 has done a great job with Drive to Survive. Everywhere I go, and I travel a lot in the US, the Bahamas and all over Europe, I get a lot of people telling me now that they love Formula 1 and they love Netflix. That’s what happens when you bring in new owners that are really into marketing. They’ve done an amazing job at making the content look as interesting as possible. It’s definitely attracted fans. The owners have got other issues to deal with, but on the issue of marketing to a new audience, they’ve done 10 out of 10 in my opinion.
Who was your favourite team-mate during your F1 career?
I would have to say Michael because we had a very good working relationship. I never had an issue with him at all. He performed the best he could every weekend, I performed the best I could every weekend. If I had to do something for the team, I had to do something for the team, and that was it. It was very simple.
We’ve already seen Hamilton and Verstappen go at each other in the press conferences. How hard is it not to get personal with your rivals?
I never had a problem with getting personal. For me it was all in one, the professional and personal situation. All’s fair in love and war and I see Formula 1 as war so I really had no problem with criticising or saying anything that I felt would help me. I was there for me and my team, and I didn’t care about anyone else.
What do you make of the 2021 F1 season so far?
The 2021 season so far has been amazing. Verstappen is definitely the fastest driver out there at the minute, but you have to say Lewis Hamilton is probably still the top driver. It’s been fantastic to watch those two guys go at it. I think it’s going to be a great season.
