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Ex-Formula One driver and Lotus Brand Ambassador, Jean Alesi, will fly the flag for Lotus at next year’s Indy 500 which, with an audience of 400,000 spectators at the Indianapolis Speedway, is the world’s biggest single motorsport race.

Although best known for its exploits in Formula One, Lotus changed the face of the Indy 500 when it won 1965 Indy 500 with Jim Clark at the wheel. The win was the first ever by a rear engined car and no front engine car has won the Indy 500 following the Lotus victory.

Clark started at the front of the grid and set the fastest lap, as well as leading for 190 of the 200 laps and setting an unprecedented average speed of 240 kmh. In 1966 Clark finished in second place.

Despite his considerable experience with 202 races in Formula One, 47 year old Jean Alesi has never before taken on competitive oval racing. Following a 12 year stint in F1 from 1989 to 2001, Alesi moved onto DTM racing and then last year made his most recent competitive race appearance in the Le Mans Series, having first competed with the Australian Team Schuppan in 1989.

In January 2011 he joined Group Lotus as a brand ambassador and development consultant on the F1 customer race car, the T125. Although never straying far from the race track, the Indy 500 and oval racing represent completely new challenges for Jean.

“I’m thrilled that Lotus has given me the opportunity to compete in such a world famous race�, said Jean Alesi.

“It’s going to be a very special experience for me but I also know that I have a lot of hard work ahead. I’m very focused on the task I’m facing – I’m taking my training very seriously, I have some amazing support on this front from a ‘comeback’ expert and of course I will be testing extensively. I’m really excited about the race.�

Jean’s development role with Group Lotus will stand him in good stead as he prepares for his new challenge as he will be competing in a Lotus powered by the new Lotus IndyCar engine. Development of the 2.2l twin turbo V6 is going to schedule with the first engine fire up set for mid October and track testing planned December.

Group Lotus Director of Corporate Operations Gino Rosato said: “IndyCar racing represents a really important element of our overall motorsport program. The Indy 500 is the highlight of the race calendar, the atmosphere is always incredible and having Jean racing for us there will make it extra special.�

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