Formula One Times: 4th November...Irvine: Hamilton Should Drive For Ferrari

A massive thanks to those of you that supported me yesterday as Formula One Times saw a change of hands for a short time.  I appreciate all your feedback and hope you will continue to instruct me on ways I can improve F1 Times until Paul returns.

BREAKING NEWS: Irvine Urges Ferrari switch for Hamilton

Eddie Irvine, the runner-up of the 1999 World Championship, has urged Lewis Hamilton to consider a move to Ferrari at some point in the future.

The retired 42-year-old drove for the British-based Jordan team in 1995 and then accepted an offer to be Michael Schumacher's teammate over with Ferrari

"He may win a couple more (titles) with McLaren and he's loyal to Ron Dennis but he's got to move to Ferrari at some point," Irvine told Virgin Media.  "Having been there, I've seen what it's like and it's a different situation to being with any other team."

In the wake of his first World Championship title, experts are predicting that the Swiss resident may have doubled his salary for the 2009 season.

Record Audience for Hamilon's Title Win

A peak of 13.1 million people tuned in to see Lewis Hamilton claim the Championship title on Sunday.  British ITV, who will hand over to the BBC next year, reported the record-breaking figure yesterday.

ITV gave-up the rights to show F1 in the UK this year after twelve years of service to the sport.  The only pro for this move, in my opinion, is that there will be no commercial breaks from next season.

Hamilton: Number One Will Be the Coolest Thing Ever

In addition to winning the title, there is another status that will be bestowed upon Hamilton next season: something he has long craved.   “I have to admit it feels great, and I don’t have to have number 22 on my car any more," said Hamilton.  “I can have number one, and that’s the coolest thing ever.”

“Every now and then there is this thought that keeps popping into my mind, ‘Wow! You’re World Champion’,” smiled Hamilton.

Toro Rosso Still an Option for Senna

Despite confirming yesterday that he will be testing for Honda for 2009, Bruno Senna has admitted that has not closed the door completely on Scuderia Toro Rosso.  Indeed, Brazilian newspaper Fohla has reported that Toro Rosso, co-owned by Gerhard Berger, a former teammate of Senna's late uncle, has offered the 25-year old a contract worth $14 million.

"The possibilities [of being in F1] are healthy and solid, although much will rest on the outcome of the tests," Senna admitted, "For now, nothing is signed, and a lot will depend on external factors which will affect the decisions that we will have to take."

Hat-Trick Hamilton Can Drive Dream Car

Lewis Hamilton revealed yesterday that he has a bet on with team boss, Ron Dennis, that will see him drive a Limited Edition McLaren F1 LM road car if he can bag three World Championships with the Woking-based team.

There was only ever 64 McLaren F1's produced, and five of these are limited edition, with Hamilton just two Championships off securing the number one of the five—currently inside the Woking office of McLaren.

Hamilton told British newspaper, The Sun, "Every time I walk past it, I gaze at it. It's probably the most expensive, the most beautiful car in the whole world—and that's the one I want."

Kimi Raikkonen: 2008 is Behind Me.  Next Season is a Different Story

Kimi Raikkonen has vowed that next year will not be a repeat of this year.  The Finn who has had a dismal season has vowed to come out fighting in 2009 as he now faces the dual threat of new champion Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa.  Raikkonen, admitted that 2008 had not been the best of title defences, but also insisted that everyone would start with a clean slate next March.

"I lost [the championship] this year, so well done to Hamilton, he deserves it in the end," the Finn said, "He got the most points from this year, so I don't feel bad."

Schumacher: Hamilton Win was Fate.

Seven-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher, has stated that Hamilton winning the title on Sunday was fate, but warned that Massa will be hot on his tail again next season.

Speaking on his Official website, Schumacher said, "I have never seen anything like this, not as a racer and not as a spectator—you can probably only say it was fate.  What a finale. But Felipe can leave that race with his head up. He will for sure attack again next year."

Keep your eyes peeled over the next 24-hours as we will reveal whether Fernando Alonso will be keeping his seat at Renault, or whether the Spaniard has signed with another team.  We expect this news late on tonight!