Ferrari's Eddie Irvine has said his chance of winning his first F1 world title was still very open after his points lead over rival Mika Hakkinen was restored at the weekend. He said Hakkinen and his McLaren teammate David Coulthard may 'play games and push me back into Stewarts and Williams and Jordans' at the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday. 'It could cause problems and we have got to be very careful. We cannot afford to relax,' Irvine said. 'I hope to get the result we want.' 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 Friday in Paris Ferrari's disqualification from the Malaysian Grand Prix was overturned. The verdict, which dispelled suspicions Ferrari's machines carried illegally sized deflectors, reinstalled Irvine's four-point lead over Hakkinen. Ferrari also lead McLaren 118-114, bidding for their first constructors title in 20 years since South African Jody Scheckter brought the Italian team and himself to the top of the world. '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.
