Grapevine: Alesi Joins Jordan's Shortlist

Frenchman Jean Alesi is the latest driver to be linked with a Jordan seat in order to replace Brazilian Ricardo Zonta for the rest of the 2001 season.

According to paddock rumours at the German Grand Prix, Alesi could benefit from Heinz-Harald Frentzen's dismissal from Jordan last Wednesday. The German driver was sacked from the Silverstone team after failing to finish in the points in the last seven races and Jordan's test driver Zonta has replaced him this weekend at Hockenheim.

However, it is believed that Zonta will not race in the remaining five races of the 2001 campaign and Alesi has now joined the list of drivers who could land a deal with Jordan.

Alesi already drove for the Jordan F3000 team back in 1989 and team boss Eddie Jordan has admitted several times he would have liked to have the Frenchman at his team.

Alesi told British ITV, when asked about the rumour: "I will explain something a little bit later on. At the moment, I am happy for the team."

Speaking on the grid of the German Grand Prix, Jordan deny the rumours, but Alesi's manager Mario Miyakawa refused to discard the move when questioned. Team boss Alain Prost admitted Eddie Jordan had contacted him, but the four-time champion told the Irishman Alesi was not free to go.

"Jean has a contract with us until the end of the season. Next year he can do what he likes as he will be free, but now he cannot," said the former World Champion.

"I'm on very friendly terms with Eddie Jordan. We discussed the matter and I told him clearly that he could not take Alesi and that I was prepared to put up a fight to keep him. He replied that he would not do anything without my agreement."

Italian Jarno Trulli, Jordan's other driver, told Reuters "he would be very welcome" when asked about Alesi as a possible teammate. However, he added he had been taken completely by surprise by Frentzen's dismissal and knew nothing about plans for a replacement.