Team orders leave Irvine frustrated

In a competition to establish who is the greatest driver in the world, one does not expect persistent orders to slow down. Yesterday, at the Austrian Grand Prix, Eddie Irvine was yet again forced to do just that, to allow Michael Schumacher make up for a big mistake and take what would have been Irvine's fifth podium finish in a row.

Irvine drove a fine, error free race, taking three championship points for his fourth place finish but he left the track last night in foul humour and with the prospects of a drive next year at Williams or even Jordan looking a lot more appealing than the almost unbearable frustration he is putting up with at Ferrari.

Jordan Mugen Honda continue their renaissance - Ralf Schumacher finishing fifth, for his second points finish in a row, while Damon Hill's early pace evaporated and he cruised around to finish seventh.

Schumacher had been pressing Hakkinen for the lead when he overcooked a corner and slid off into a gravel trap, and, hitting a hummock, lost the front air dam before pointing the Ferrari back on track. After a lengthy pit stop, the German rejoined the race at the back of the field.

However, he clawed his way back to fourth, 20 seconds behind Irvine, and that's when Irvine, third behind Hakkinen and Coulthard received the order to `develop problems'.

"We were having some brake troubles," Irvine later claimed. The words were uttered with no conviction whatsoever.

The team followed the same line but Irvine's boiling frustration at having to give up his fifth podium in a row was justifiable, given the frequency with which he is now being presented with team orders. As recently as the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours, Ferrari were on the radio after just two laps with the instruction to "slow down and let Michael through". Ferrari seem to forget that Irvine is human too. The FIA and the fans want to see the drivers battle. It demeans the championship. Schumacher should be able to outdrive everyone else. He made a mistake yesterday, Irvine didn't.

Eddie Jordan was satisfied with his second points finish in a row - Ralf Schumacher driving a fine mature race. "We are actually going a lot better than people think," he said. "We are racing ahead of Williams and Benetton and that's pretty good. Ralf drove a good race - to finish right behind the two McLarens and the two Ferraris is a good achievement."

Unlike Irvine, Ralf is allowed fight to keep Michael Schumacher behind. "I enjoyed the battle with Michael. It was a good, clean, fair scrap and a lot of fun," the Jordan driver said afterwards.

Damon Hill drove a great first lap to spring from 15th to eighth but from there was uninspired and lacklustre, finishing 24 seconds behind his team-mate.