It, perhaps, gives credence to an odd rumour in the Barcelona paddock - that the Ulsterman and former Ferrari driver has a keen eye on Minardi.
Although current Faenza owner Paul Stoddart sat out Spain with a nasty 'flu, speculation whispered that 39-year-old Irvine - with a personal fortune outpacing even countryman Eddie Jordan - may buy the back-of-the-grid squad.
Irvine, 39, has - until now - seldom showed a face in the Paddock since retiring in 2002.
He said in January: "The idea of owning a (grand prix) team is interesting, but the way it is at the minute, the sport is not owner-friendly." -GMM