Grapevine: Mercedes Confirm Two-Year Deal for Alesi

Jean Alesi, who retired from Formula One at the end of last season, will race in the German DTM touring car series for Mercedes next season, the team confirmed on Wednesday.

"Mercedes and Jean Alesi are happy to announce a two-year contract with an option to continue the co-operation after the end of 2003," a Mercedes statement said. The 37-year-old Frenchman quit F1 after his 201st Grand Prix in Japan last month and had also been considering taking a drive in the American CART series.

Alesi, who raced for Prost and Jordan last year, tested the Mercedes touring car at Hockenheim in early November.

"I'm very happy to join Mercedes," he said. "I've always liked the DTM with its close competition. Without the electronic aids assisting you in Formula One the cars are very challenging. I consider my DTM involvement to be a big challenge for my further racing career."

Mercedes' director of motorsport Norbert Haug said the recruitment of Alesi was part of the team's policy to blend experienced drivers with young talents.

"In the last 13 years in Formula One, Jean was always one of the fastest drivers and his style of driving and his personality is very much loved by the public," Haug said. "When the opportunity to contract Jean arose, we didn't hesitate," he added.