Alesi Dreams of Driving in the Indy 500

Frenchman Jean Alesi, starting his 200th Grand Prix this weekend, admitted he would like to take part in the prestigious Indianapolis 500 race in the future.

Speaking to the press at Indy, ahead of the US Grand Prix this weekend, Alesi said: "The Indy 500 will always be something that I would be very excited to do. It is a wish that in fact I hope to fulfill one day."

Nevertheless, Alesi admitted he hopes to stay in Formula One next year, hopefully with his current team, Jordan Grand Prix. "I have no deadline as to when I must stop driving in Formula One," Alesi said, "and driving with Jordan next year would be good. That is my priority. I'm just waiting to see what Eddie (Jordan) wants to do for next season."

Alesi also paid tribute to the Indianapolis track, saying that while the F1 track itself is not one of the best circuits, the venue lends for exciting racing and more overtaking than usual.

"The problem with track is its name," Alesi said. "It is one of the most famous tracks in motor racing history. So when we first came here, we were expecting so much of the circuit. It could not be designed on a blank sheet of paper. Part of the oval had to be used on the outside and they built the road course layout in the middle. So it's not the best Formula One circuit, but there is actually one very good point, and that is overtaking.

"Being able to do that ensures the race will be exciting. There could possibly be some changes to the layout, but the current circuit is really, really respectable, and the high point is that we can overtake here."