Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eddie Irvine is ready for the race of his life in Japan to seal the world title - and he has warned McLaren's Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard not to try any dirty tricks.
Eddie Irvine is ready for the race of his life in Japan to seal the world title - and he has warned McLaren's Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard not to try any dirty tricks.
Ferrari ace Irvine said today that his chance of winning the title was still open after his points lead over rival Hakkinen was restored in a weekend legal tug-of-war.
But he warned he was ready for any dirty tricks, saying Hakkinen and Coulthard may "play games and push me back into Stewarts and Williams and Jordans" at the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
"It could cause problems and we have got to be very careful. We cannot afford to relax," said the 33-year-old Ulsterman after a weekend of partying at a Tokyo night club.
"I hope to get the result we want."
But Irvine also said he could rely on his "hometown" advantage stemming from his F-3000 stint in Japan from 1991 to 1993.
"Suzuka is my favourite circuit," he said.
"It's like my home grand prix because I raced in Japan for three years and I had a lot of fun here and I have enjoyed coming back."
On Saturday an independent inquiry in Paris overturned Ferrari's disqualification from the last grand prix in Malaysia where Irvine and double world champion Michael Schumacher finished one-two.
The verdict, which dispelled suspicions Ferrari's red machines carried illegally-sized deflectors, reinstalled Irvine's four-point lead over 1998 champion Hakkinen.
"The situation is still very open," Irvine said, adding it would have been much better if he had a five-point advantage.
If Hakkinen wins at Suzuka, the 31-year-old flying Finn will have his second world title. But if Hakkinen finishes second, Irvine has to finish in the top four to seal the title.
"That will be nice," he said, commenting on the possibility that Schumacher beats Hakkinen into second spot so that Irvine just cruises into fourth spot to sew up his drivers title.
"If Mika (Hakkinen) breaks down at the start then I can really have fun because I really love the circuit," he said.
"And, it will be the greatest way to go into the race and I can go crazy."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments