Alesi still planning on running Indy 500

Jean Alesi

Jean Alesi says he is not changing his mind about racing in the Indianapolis 500 despite Dan Wheldon's fatal accident. The 47-year-old Frenchman announced earlier this year that he will try to qualify for next year's race, in what will be his debut on an oval circuit. He said the passing of Wheldon had not made him change his mind, as he believes it is safe enough.

"Why should I? What happened at Las Vegas can't happen in Indy: the banking there is negligible and most of all you never take it flat-out except in qualifying," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm no expert, but before deciding I spoke to Dallara who has reassured me over safety standards."

Meanwhile, Gian Paolo Dallara confirmed the 2012 car that Wheldon helped develop is likely to be called DW01 to honor the late Briton.

"Dan was special – a good racing driver and a great person, everyone loved him," Dallara said. "Our 2012 car will be called DW01 or something similar. Dan will live on." Racer.com