Alesi to leave DTM after this year

Former Grand Prix driver Alesi, 42, has joined the Persson Motorsport team this season, driving a one-year old AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse. He is currently in eighth place in the standings, having scored 14 points.

But the Frenchman, who joined the DTM in 2002 after leaving Formula One, has admitted he is frustrated by having to drive an old car and not being able to test properly.

"The DTM is a very special series," Alesi told Autosprint magazine. "The cars are the same for everybody, let's be clear, but then you get to practice and you can't set the car up.

"You know how to make it more competitive, but the bosses tell you 'No, the car is this and you can't change it: you must simply drive it.'

"So, if once in a while we race in the wet, then I can really do what I'm capable of. I don't want to be presumptuous, but let's be honest, I'm not just anyone once I get inside the car.

"I'm like a son for (Mercedes boss) Norbert Haug, and with my race engineer Hans Peter I have a great relationship, but I don't get along with those who manage the technology. The truth? In my Persson team I race with a one-year-old Mercedes. I don't think that's a nice thing. I feel neglected.

"In fact, I'm completely certain I'm being neglected. Do you know how much I've tested in five years? Three days. Three days in five years.

"Mercedes goes testing, a lot, but with the other drivers. I must be content with just getting in the car - an old one, I repeat - only on race weekends and without being able to work on it, without being able to adapt it to my characteristics on a certain track.

"I want to avoid kicking up a stink and to make useless confusion, so I'll calmly carry out my responsibilities, also because I don't want to spit over the hand that has fed me for five years.

"From this point of view Mercedes has behaved very well, but it's time to change. At the end of this year I'm out. I'm leaving the DTM."

Alesi, however, says he has no plans to stop racing.

"Absolutely not. I still have a lot of passion. Racing is my life and I'm still very fast on the track. Why on earth should I quit?

"The news is that in 2007 Jean Alesi will still be racing and - I think and hope - doing so my way: as a top player."

Asked if he aims to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year, Alesi replied he's not interested in it.