Ferrari backs Irvine

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Agence France-Presse

MILAN (Oct 9, 1998 - 12:26 EDT) - Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and
top driver Michael Schumacher have dismissed speculation that the team are
set to swap Eddie Irvine for Jean Alesi.

The Frenchman, who once partnered Gerhard Berger at Ferrari, has been
linked by press reports with a return to the Italian team.

But Montezemolo said: "I have read some unbelievable things about
Irivine in the papers -- and they don't even deserve to be denied. It's
like talking about things which happen on the moon.

"But then in 20 years with Ferrari, it's always been like this. And I
would be surprised if it wasn't."

Schumacher said: "I don't think Eddie can go, he's got a contract for
next year and I work well with him." But he added: "I admire
Alesi, we are friends."

Ferrari are meanwhile concentrating on the last race of the season at
Suzuka, which will decide whether world championship leader Mika Hakkinen
or Schumacher wins the title.

"We are taking great care in our preparations for the race," said
Montezemolo. "We can't do any more than what we're doing now, so
however things go we cannot have any regrets whatever happens.

"And naturally, I can only hope it goes our way. We want to win the
championship, and not just know that we did all we could. We must calm
about things, but at the same time aim to win."

He went on: "Suzuka will be a lottery. Something could happen to us or
to them, but I do think that Ferrari have paid their dues where bad luck is
concerned recently.

"I'm expecting a great performance from the drivers, especially from
Irvine, who did some exceptional things there last year and put us back in
with a chance of the world title."

Schumacher denied that he was happy just to be in with another shot this time around.

"I'm only happy when I win," said the former double world
champion. "That' s what counts, and throughout my career I've always
competed with that in mind."

When the German joined Ferrari three seasons ago, his aim was to win the
world title within three years.

"At that time, the car wasn't competitive, and it was very hard to
keep up with the leading cars," Schumacher said. "But now we're
always up at the front and we're also winning races. I hope to keep to my
prediction."

And he insisted: "Everything is still up for grabs."

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