Alain Prost has vowed to fight Eddie Jordan for the services of his fellow Frenchman and Formula One driver Jean Alesi.
Jordan has already held discussions with Prost regarding Alesi, who is wanted as replacement - for the remaining five races of the season at least- for the sacked Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
Frentzen was surprisingly given the bullet by Jordan a week ago, just days ahead of his home grand prix in Germany, with test driver RicardoZonta stepping into the hot seat for the race at Hockenheim.
Throughout the weekend, however, speculation was rife as to who might be given the long-term drive, with a number of names linked and withBrazilian Zonta doing himself no favours due to his performance, before veteran Alesi emerged as leading candidate.
The 37-year-old has effectively been in the Formula One wilderness for the last four seasons following his heady days with Ferrari and Benetton.
But two dismal seasons in 1998 and 1999 with a then uncompetitive Sauber team have been followed by an even more miserable time with Prost,although Alesi has at least picked up four points this year in stark contrast to a blank 2000.
The French Sicilian, who was European F3000 champion under Jordan in 1989, at least has experience on his side and the Irishman sees this askey to resurrecting his own team's ailing fortunes this season.
Jordan have endured a miserable year to date as the Silverstone-based team languishes in fifth place in the constructors' championship with just15 points.
Alesi, who picked up another point in finishing sixth on Sunday, is under contract with Prost for the rest of the season and the former four-timesworld champion is not prepared to let his driver go now.
"It's true that I did see Eddie Jordan but I told him that Jean was not free and that he had a contract until the end of the season," confirmedProst.
"Next year he can do what he likes as he will be free, but now he cannot.
"I'm on very friendly terms with Eddie Jordan but I told him that I was prepared to put up a fight to keep him."
PA