SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Alesi admits that he has no contract for 2002

THERE has been much confusion in recent weeks over the contractual status of Jean Alesi in 2002 but it has now emerged that the French veteran has nothing lined up but is still hoping that a series of strong results in the final races of the year will convince Eddie Jordan to keep him on next year.

Alesi is believed to be in competition for the drive with British Formula 3 Champion Takuma Sato. The newcomer is highly-rated and a Honda protege but Alesi has enormous experience, dating back 10 years. The Italian GP will be his 199th race start.

Alesi joined Jordan after the team sacked its regular driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen just before the German GP.

Jean has done well, scoring the team's first point for some months at Spa and his experience will count in his favor. Sato is quick but it will take him time to learn the tricks of the F1 trade.

Another driver who is believed to be in the picture is Formula 3000 Champion Justin Wilson, who is due to test for Jordan shortly.