Jordan Sorry for Alesi's F1 Finale

Formula One team boss Eddie Jordan sympathised with retiring star Jean Alesi after the Frenchman's hopes of a dream end to his career were brought to a sudden halt in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

Alesi, a long-time friend of Jordan, was brought into the team at this year's Hungarian Grand Prix after the departure of German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, and had hoped to continue with the team for 2002. But four days before the race in Suzuka, Jordan announced his decision to opt for young blood in the form of Japanese star Takuma Sato, and Alesi immediately announced his retirement.

The team certainly gave Alesi the chance to bow out in style, and he took it by claiming points finishes at both the Belgian and United States Grands Prix. And the Frenchman boosted hopes of final race success by topping the Friday practice times in Japan, only to end his final race in a lap six crash with Sauber's Kimi Raikkonen.

"I feel for Jean as this was a sad way to end his career," said Jordan. "He is very philosophical about it though, and has clearly enjoyed the weekend immensely."

Jordan also ends his two-year association with Italian Jarno Trulli, who is off to the new Renault team next season after complaining that his current team had failed to solve reliability problems. Trulli actually made it to the end of his final race for the team, but he managed only an eighth place finish in Japan, and left with an apologetic admission from team boss Jordan.

"Jarno deserved better this season with us," Jordan said. "He had a particularly unlucky season."