'Everyone spies on everyone in F1'
So it's come to light that Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa received emails from Mike Coghlan about Ferrari tech specs, specifically weight distribution. Big deal! When I was racing, it was easy to find out about every other team's weight distribution. That's what we did. It's what the whole game is and what Formula 1 is all about.
Nobody arrives with an empty briefcase
Maybe there's more to this than meets the eye but we were always up to it. Hiring people from other teams and them bringing information about their previous team is what it's all about. Ferrari hired Ross Brawn, so don't you think that Ferrari would ask Ross about the entire goings on at Benetton and what made their car so good? When McLaren hired Newey from Williams, are you going to tell me that he went there with an empty briefcase? I don't think so! When Rory Byrne went to Ferrari from Benetton, there's no way he went with an empty briefcase.
I think Formula 1 is doing the most amazing job of trying to destroy itself. We've had such a great season with the Lewis Hamilton v Fernando Alonso battle getting people interested in the sport again. So what do people like Max Mosley and Jarno Trulli do? Call for both McLaren drivers to be disqualified from the championship. All this controversy has been interesting stuff but now it's getting out of hand. All's fair in love and war, so get on with it, shut up and let's see who gets across the chequered flag first within the technical rules. If Ferrari can't control their staff and vis-à-vis then tough. You have spies and double agents in Formula 1 and it's always been the case, as it was in the cold war. Spying is an accepted part of Formula 1. The only reason drugs are not allowed in athletics is because you don't know where to stop it before it starts killing athletes, just like it does in cycling. Otherwise, you should allow drugs because it's so difficult to police and you don't know who is cheating for an unfair advantage. In a car, if you can steal information from everyone on the grid and make the best car, then I say well done!
Alonso was out of order
But back to racing! At Spa, I think the top four all drove brilliantly and Lewis now has to get his act together. I don't care what Ron Dennis says, what Alonso did on the first corner was completely out of order! It was a deliberate attempt to take his team-mate out of the race. I think Kimi may win the world championship because Alonso and Hamilton take each other out. I have absolutely no time for Alonso after what he did in Hungary and Spa. Totally out of order. I would have sacked him if I was Ron Dennis.
I don't think Alonso has any friends in the pit lane. Every team he goes to, he makes enemies. He doesn't seem normal. I really hope he does leave McLaren and I hope Lewis wins the world championship next year. Alonso wants to not have a team-mate to race, just to collect cups. This year he has to work his balls off to beat his team-mate and he doesn't seem to like it!
Now the talk starts regarding who's going where next season and I don't care where Alonso goes to be honest but if Jenson moves to McLaren, that would be great and I think Jenson would be a great number 2.
Ferrari for Fuji
Fuji will be interesting. I lived just down the road from Fuji and it’s a great place. I raced there for three years and it was a Japanese company that got me into Formula 1 so I love the place and the people. It could be a great event, although it is quite a distance from Tokyo. But what a spectacular setting, with the backdrop of Mount Fuji. Nobody knows the circuit so we’ll see what happens.
If I had to put my neck out, I think Kimi Raikkonen's going to win the race and perhaps sneak through and win the championship. I think Alonso and Hamilton could wreck each others title hopes. It's the only bet where the odds make it worthwhile anyway!
Enjoy the race,
Eddie Irvine.
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27th September 2007
