Fired-up Alesi joins Jordan

The French veteran fills the seat left vacant by the sacked Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who in a reciprocal move has switched to Prost for the balance of the season (see separate story).

Alesi was widely-tipped to join the Jordan outfit once he had released himself from his contract with Prost. The 37-year-old began talks with Jordan late last week and had a seat fitting at the team's Silverstone base on Thursday. The deal sees Alesi returning to Jordan 12 years after winning the Inernational Formula 3000 title with the team in 1989.

"I am delighted that Jean is joining us again," said Jordan team boss Eddie Jordan. "His experience will be invaluable to us, but equally important will be his energy and enthusiasm.

"He is a great motivator and will drive the Jordan with real fire in his belly. With Jean alongside Jarno [Trulli], the team now has a charismatic and vibrant pairing, which we hope will be transferred into powerful results on the track."

Alesi will make his F1 debut for Jordan at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 10 day's time. Due to Formula 1's mid-season break, he will not be able to acclimatise to the unfamiliar EJ11 until he gets behind the wheel for the first free practice session at the Hungaroring.

"I am overjoyed by this development in my career," said Alesi, "Eddie launched me into Formula 1, so to return to race for him after all this time is something very special. Although I will not be able to test the car before racing in Hungary, I feel so motivated that I don't believe this will be a problem. I am very excited."

The Frenchman has been surrounded by speculation that his career was in its twilight and that he may retire or switch to Champ Cars at the end of the season, his 13th in F1. However, Alesi could continue with his new team beyond the end of the year as a deal is in place for the last five races of 2001 and both parties have options for next year.

Team boss Eddie Jordan is not expected to make any decisions on his 2002 driver line up until later in the year.

Alesi's departure from the Prost team looked to have piled yet more woe onto the beleaguered French outfit, but the arrival of Frentzen will be some consolation for the loss of Alesi. Team boss Alain Prost says he released his former driver and long-time friend for the good of his team.

"It is essential to preserve our team's serenity in this moment when we are building up Prost Grand Prix's future and consolidating our strategy for the coming years," he said. "This is why I chose to release Jean."

For full Frentzen to Prost story, click here.