Alesi to retire at end of year?

Alesi, who made his debut at the French Grand Prix in 1989, is thought to have called time on his F1 career and is looking at a switch to the US-based Champ Car series for next year.

The Frenchman scored the Prost team's first points since 1999 with a sixth place in Monaco last weekend, and neither he nor team boss Alain Prost will confirm the rumours, but sources suggest that the 36-year-old has already taken the decision to call it a day.

"It's a little bit too early to talk about what Jean will do next year," said Prost. "But he completed an exemplary piece of work in Monaco, and the team managed to reap the fruit of his long efforts. This result will let us work with a bit less pressure on our shoulders, even if we know the road is still a long one."

Alesi was rumoured to be retiring at the end of last year following speculation that four time world champion Prost was leaving the team, but Alesi said he would stay on as long as Prost was at the helm. He was clearly delighted at his Monte Carlo result.

"This first point has given me so much pleasure that I have the impression that our adventure will really start again from today," said Alesi.

The Grand Prix winner was due to be testing with Prost at Magny-Cours this week, but has had to leave the driving duties to team mate Luciano Burti after blistering his hands during Sunday's race round the twisty Monte Carlo street circuit.