MAY 17, 2001

Alesi hoping to benefit from Durand

THE Prost team is lining up a major aerodynamic development for introduction at the Monaco Grand Prix and driver Jean Alesi is hoping that the first proper input from a new team will boost their flagging hopes.

Former McLaren aerodynamicist Henri Durand has been working hard on the much needed improvements and Alesi believes the team needs them to move forward.

"We have got to the limit of the car and we are waiting for improvements, especially because our chief director at the team has changed since the car has been raced," said Alesi.

"The car is the problem, it's not the engine. No question about it. But there is a new major aerodynamic package and the changes are coming immediately in time for Monte Carlo.

"It is about the floor, the rear wing and the front wing. I hope (for a big increase) but we cannot judge a change before we test it."

Alesi had his worst season in Formula One last year with Prost and after pre-season promise faded he has been left to wonder about his future with the team.

He admitted to receiving interest from other teams on the Grand Prix grid, but said he was not going to let his current disappointment cloud his judgement.

"I am not happy at all at the moment," he said. "But because the season is still long I need to keep pushing and to wait for the improvements of the car. I know that I cannot do more than I am doing at the moment."