Alesi completes McLaren test.

Recently 'retired' Formula One driver Jean Alesi has concluded his 'one-off' run with the West McLaren Mercedes team that came about as a result of his signing with the German engine supplier to race its DTM cars this year.

Alesi conducted a three-day session with McLaren at Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet, when he took the wheel of an uprated 2001-spec MP4-16B in a variety of weather conditions. It wasn't just a 'fun run' for the Frenchman, however, as, during the course of the session, the team completed 224 laps of the 3.61mile, with work focusing on tyre development.

"It means a lot to me that, after thirteen years in Formula One, I have had the opportunity to drive a West McLaren Mercedes car," Alesi smiled, "Throughout my driving career, McLaren has always made impressive cars and been the team to beat, so it has been a big week for me.

"We have had a positive few days following a scheduled programme, and I have enjoyed working with the team. It was a very professional and friendly environment and we have worked hard, illustrated by the distance and number of laps covered in the wet weather. I am now looking forward to the start of the DTM season and concentrating on racing for Mercedes-Benz in that championship."

With regular drivers David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen enjoying a few days off between the Australian and Malaysian GPs, and regular tester Alex Wurz also having a break from his winter's work, Alesi was handed the task of developing the team's tyre programme - a task he handled with aplomb, according to McLaren MD Martin Whitmarsh.

"West McLaren Mercedes has had a productive week with Jean Alesi at Le Castellet circuit," he confirmed, "It was a valuable exercise to gain another opinion, especially one as experienced as Jean's. Even though the weather conditions were mixed, the team is pleased with the progress made, and is now looking forward to the second grand prix of the 2002 championship season in Malaysia."

Following the Malaysian Grand Prix, the McLaren test programme will move to Barcelona in Spain. Alesi, meanwhile, will make his DTM racing debut with Mercedes-Benz on 21st April 2002 at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany.

"Jean did an excellent job during the three days of testing in difficult conditions, especially during the first two days," commented Norbert Haug, vice-president of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, "With his contribution to the tyre evaluation programme he provided us with a lot of useful data. He was very busy doing 1300kms - more than four grand prix distances in three days.

"Jean is now focusing on his continuing DTM test programme, with the next test taking place at Le Castellet his weekend [9-10 March] prior to his DTM debut in the Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM at Hockenheim on 21 April."