Sarrazin on stand-by as Alesi returns.
Stephane Sarrazin will accompany the Prost team to Hungary this weekend in case fellow Frenchman Jean Alesi finds that he cannot compete comfortably.
The fiery French-Sicilian was involved in a heavy collision with both Pedro Diniz and the barriers at the German Grand Prix ten days ago, and has complained of stomach pains since. Although the condition is improving steadily, and Alesi himself has said that he is fit enough to race, the team are taking no chances.
Stephane Sarrazin will accompany the Prost team to Hungary this weekend in case fellow Frenchman Jean Alesi finds that he cannot compete comfortably.
The fiery French-Sicilian was involved in a heavy collision with both Pedro Diniz and the barriers at the German Grand Prix ten days ago, and has complained of stomach pains since. Although the condition is improving steadily, and Alesi himself has said that he is fit enough to race, the team are taking no chances.
Alesi will start the Hungarian weekend behind the wheel of his AP03 but, should he find that being belted into the car causes a recurrence of the pain, Sarrazin will take over in time to ensure that there are two Prosts on the grid on Sunday. The former F3000 race-winner tested at Fiorano last week in preparation for what would be his second grand prix appearance, following a one-off outing with Minardi in 1999.
The use of substitute drivers is a rare thing in Formula One, but has become a regular possibility this season. Bruno Junqueira travelled to Canada with Williams in case Ralf Schumacher failed to recover from his Monaco leg injury in time for the race, while fellow Brazilian Luciano Burti replaced the sick Eddie Irvine at Jaguar for the Austrian GP last month.