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Jean Alesi to contest Indianapolis 500 race with Newman/Haas

Jean Alesi has confirmed that his inaugural assault on the Indianapolis 500 will be run by legendary US single-seater team Newman/Haas next month

As first predicted by AUTOSPORT magazine in April last year, the 47-year-old ex-Ferrari, Benetton, Sauber, Jordan, Prost and Tyrrell Formula 1 racer will contest the 500-mile open-wheel classic on May 27.

Alesi, who started 201 grand prix but has never raced on an oval, will drive a Lotus-powered Dallara DW12 for the Illinois-based team run by Carl Haas.

The team had announced last December that it wouldn't compete in the IndyCar Series in 2012, and will run Alesi on a one-off basis at Indianapolis having assisted Lotus outfit Dragon Racing so far this year.

"It's going to be with Newman/Haas and it was signed yesterday," Alesi told AUTOSPORT.

"We have a lot of details still to decide, such as when I'll be in the car for the first time, all those kind of things. For me, it's fantastic because I need as much support as I can get, from the team ­- even from the fans, I will have to ask them how to drive there!

"I am extremely excited about it. I'm not worried, but I feel a big pressure on me. I will try to be as fit as possible and to be in top condition to do a good job."

The deal came about via Alesi's position as an ambassador with the Lotus car manufacturer, which entered the IndyCar Series as an engine supplier this year.

"The whole issue for me competing in this race was because I'm the Lotus ambassador," he said. "I am taking it very seriously, I have massive experience in motorsport, but it's the first time for me in this kind of competition.

"I need to be low-profile, to fulfil the expectation of the team, and I'm sure I will perform."

Alesi will be required to go through the same rookie orientation process at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as all new drivers - including the likes of Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Nigel Mansell in the past. Intriguingly, Alesi will do this process alongside fellow F1 veteran Rubens Barrichello.

"Actually for me, that will be a good thing," said Alesi. "The process is very big, and I want to start without any kind of worry to be in the top speeds straight away. I want to follow the procedure and get a good feeling at lower speed, to build up to a reasonable speed.

"It's a magic surprise for motorsport to do something like this, especially in my case, because I love so much to drive. To race at Indianapolis will be amazing."

Alesi has yet to discover when his first test in the car, ahead of the month of May at Indy, will be.

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