Alesi completes 'awesome' test

Former F1 driver Jean Alesi, who will drive in DTM (German touring cars) for Mercedes this year, has finished a three day test for McLaren that he described as 'awesome'.

The session at the Paul Ricard circuit in France finished yesterday and Alesi was enthusiastic: "These three days were awesome!" he exclaimed. "I entertained myself at the wheel of an extraordinary car. It is as if I started all over again. Furthermore, I worked with engineers who have followed my career and questioned me about certain times of my career."

Alesi completed 91 laps of the 5.8km circuit on the final day and was undertaking what was apparently a "one-off" test for McLaren to work on Michelin tyres. "Michelin had tyres to test. It was all the more pleasant since there was no pressure, and it was an immense pleasure to work with this team," he said. It may be an isolated event but the Frenchman hopes that other tests may be offered in the future as it's not unusual for teams employ two regular test drivers these days.

"I will try to continue my association with them," he admitted. "I really want it. Today McLaren-Mercedes are organized with Alexander Wurz as their tester. But, Williams-BMW and Ferrari have two test drivers, so perhaps McLaren also will need a second tester. We will have to wait and see if we can continue together."

Alesi will return to the Paul Ricard circuit this weekend for another test session; however this time it will be the Mercedes car he will be driving in DTM that he is trying out.