Jean Alesi to Return to Le Mans with Ferrari 430

Jean Alesi will return to European racing next season, as the former Ferrari-an recently confirmed his plans to step into the 2010 Le Mans Series on board of a Ferrari 430, prepared by the Italian team AF Corse. In addition, Alesi will also participate in the famous Le Mans 24 Hours Race, although the complete lineup for that event is yet to be confirmed by the team.

Until recently, the Frenchman contested in several Speedcar races on the Asia continent (and the Middle East), but earlier this year hinted he might come back to race on the old continent following a mid-October test with AF Corse. On October 13, Alesi tested the Ferrari F430 GT2 at Maranello for approximately 65 laps.

It seems the test went just fine for Alesi, as he and Amato Ferrari managed to come to an agreement regarding a collaboration for the team's 2010 programme.

The Frenchman will therefore make his second appearance in the famous endurance race at Le Mans, following his campaign with Team Schuppan – Takefuji during the 1989 event. Back then, Alesi teamed up with Will Hoy and Dominic Dobson on board of a Porsche 962 C, failing to finish the race due to a fire.

However, the news that Alesi will be returning to the Le Mans 24 Hours race will only be officially confirmed by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest in the first months of 2010, as the Ferrari 430 is still pending the approval to join the entry list of the aforementioned event.

According to Ouest France website, it seems Alesi may cross ways on the Le Mans grid with former F1 champion Nigel Mansell, also contemplating a potential association with his son Leo for a Le Mans participation (with team Ginetta Zytek). However, no official confirmation was issued by Alesi in recent days.