Alesi Supports Ex-Driver Steward Idea

Frenchman Jean Alesi on Friday revealed he supports the idea of a former Formula One driver joining the race stewards in order to help them judge incidents during Grands Prix.

Williams racer Juan Pablo Montoya has called for the introduction of permanent Formula One race stewards following a collision with Michael Schumacher at last weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

The pair have clashed in the last two races, and Colombian Montoya believes a former driver would be the ideal person to govern over the Formula One grid.

"From a driver's point of view, to have an experienced ex-driver would be a good idea and I am absolutely on the same point of view," said Alesi. "Although I am not fully aware of the situation, it would be an honour for anyone to work with the FIA."

37-year old Alesi will be racing in the German DTM touring cars for Mercedes this year, but drove a Formula One car as recently as last month, when he tested for McLaren-Mercedes in Paul Ricard.

And Alesi's manager, Mario Miyakawa, admitted that the French driver, who finished an 11-year Grand Prix career in Japan last year, could become a Formula One official if asked by the FIA.

"It is a possibility," said Miyakawa. "There is only one race which clashes and that is at Montreal."