Alesi vows to keep on racing

The flamboyant Frenchman decided to call it a day on his F1 career after being overlooked by the Jordan team in favour of Japanese hotshoe Takuma Sato for 2002. However, he has vowed to carry on racing next year.

"I'm not excluding anything [for 2002]," said Alesi. "I'm just waiting to see what is going to happen now, what is interesting for me. I'm not worried about doing something different, as long as it's with wheels and a steering wheel."

Alesi's Suzuka swan song came to an abrupt end after a high-speed accident with Sauber's Kimi Raikkonen early in the race, which had he finished would have given him an impressive 100 percent finishing record for his final season.

The 37-year-old has been linked to a driver coaching role with the Jordan team, but could also move across the Atlantic to either Champ Cars or the oval-based IRL. However four-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher was cautious about his friend switching to ovals.

"I hope that Jean doesn't go to the States," said Schumacher, "because I feel that it's too dangerous and I don't want to see a friend being hurt."

For full Alesi Q&A see tomorrow's (Thursday's) AUTOSPORT magazine.