Alesi thinks driver aids a shame

Frenchman Jean Alesi, who retired from Formula One at the end of last season, thinks that the amount of technology in the sport takes the decisions away from the drivers. Speaking at the Autosport International Show in England, Alesi said:

"It is a shame to be on the Grand Prix grid and only have to press a button at the start. It means you cannot be better than everyone and you do not need to be a racing driver to do that. When you are a racing car driver you want to have much more feeling - and the drivers don't have that at the moment. The car is very important and the amount of technology is massive, but as a driver you have less chance to make the decision in the race."

This year Alesi will drive in DTM, German Touring cars, with Mercedes - former F1 rival Johnny Herbert had a few words to say about the Frenchman's decision to drive in the series.

"It's for old men," Herbert joked "I'm sure Jean will be able to get all his luggage in the back and everything he needs for the family. I don't consider myself to be as old as Jean obviously does."

Herbert was at one point rumoured to also be joining DTM, but has his sights set on getting a drive for the Indianapolis 500. Last year he returned to sportscars in the ALMS and the Le Mans with Audi - but despite the fame of the 24h hour race, Alesi said he preferred to choose DTM.

"The DTM is a series where all the cars and the competition are very similar," He said. "But when you do Le Mans you have no idea because you overtake cars on the straight where there is almost a 60mph speed difference, and that is not something that I would like to do."