Views on Irvine - retirement time?

[Super Tourer]

That canny old operator Lauda has pulled of a political masterstroke this week by giving Alonso a run in the Jag.

Alonso's performance has given him all the ammo he need's in his driver negotiations -IMO the loser could be Irvine.

Using the 'cover' as wanting Alonso as a bench mark for Courtney and Lotterer has uncorked a cunning plan for Lauda.

The fact that Alonso jumped straight into the car and outpaced De la Rosa is significant for Irvine as he has generally been outpaced by DLR. Irvine comes at a very high price and realistically has nowhere else to go.

I believe that DLR has a contract for 2003 (not that this means anything), whereas Irv doesn't. The influx of new talent has changed the driver market since Irv last negotiated a deal.

If Lauda does get a deal with Renault to 'borrow' Alonso, its a masterstroke for Jag and Alosno gets more race miles.

For Irvine it looks like retirement to me.