Eddie Irvine  Born: 10.11.65  Birthplace:Newtownards  Team: Jaguar  2006 Car Number: 16  Last Season: 12th  GP Pedigree (After the Japanese GP)  Starts: 146  Victories: 4  Poles: 0  Fastest Laps: 1  Points: 191  GP Debut: 1993, Japanese GP, Jordan, finished 6th   Five-year Stats

Irvine starts his third full season with the Jaguar team with a lot of expectation on his shoulders.

The 2001 season promised a lot and Irvine seemed on the point of living up to it with an outstanding drive to finish third in Monaco, one of his favourite circuits.

But an aggressive overtaking manoeuvre in Canada next time out after a tardy start not only took him out of the race but left him with back and neck problems.

These affected him for much of the season and de la Rosa undertook much of the summer testing.

Recovered, Irvine bounced back with a fine fourth in the United States in September but it proved to be his only other scoring performance of the season.

Irvine had taken a large career risk in 2000 when he left the all-conquering Ferrari to hook up with Jaguar's first season on the Formula One circuit.

Irvine had had best season by far in 1999 as he came agonisingly close to winning his first drivers’ title after Michael Schumacher's tragic accident in the British Grand Prix.

With Lauda overseeing the team, Irvine can expect more advice and understanding of the problems for the pilot this season.

Though he will be expected to produce the results more consistently if he is to hold on to the seat after passing his 36th birthday.

Formula One Career:

2002:	GP with Jaguar
2001:	GP with Jaguar - third in Monaco, fourth in United States, (7pts - 12th in championship)
2000:	GP with Jaguar - fourth at Monaco, sixth in Malaysia (4pts - 13th in championship)
1999:	GP with Ferrari – first in Australia, Austria, Germany and Malaysia, second in Monaco and Great Britain, third in Canada, Hungary and Japan, fourth in Spain and Belgium, fifth in Brazil, sixth in France and Italy (74 points – 2nd in championship)
1998:	GP with Ferrari – second in France, Italy and Japan, third in Argentina, San Marino, Monaco, Canada and Great Britain and fourth in Australia, Austria and Luxembourg (47 points – 4th in championship)
1997:	GP with Ferrari - second in Argentina, third at Imola, Monaco, France, and Japan, fifth in the European (24 points - 7th in championship)
1996:	GP with Ferrari - third in Australia, fifth in Argentina, fourth in San Marino, fifth in Portugal (11 points - 10th in championship)
1995:	GP with Jordan - third in Canada, fourth in Japan, fifth in Spain, sixth in European (10 points 12th in championship)
1994:	GP with Jordan - missed three races because of FIA ban but came back with a good fourth in the European, fifth in Japan and sixth in Spain (six points - 16th in championship)
1993:	GP with Jordan (debut race in Japan - sixth place) (one point - joint 20th in championship)

Background:

1993:	2nd in F3000 in Japan.
1992:	8th in F3000 in Japan.
1991:	7th in F3000 in Japan.
1990:	3rd for Jordan in the International F3000.
1988:	5th in British Formula 3. Won first heat of Macau F3 GP.
1987:	British FF1600 Champion. Won Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival.
1985:	Graduated to British FF1600
1983:	Competed in Irish FF1600, also the following year.