At the age of 47, former grand prix driver Jean Alesi will be a rookie in next month's Indianapolis 500 race, where he will compete with no other than Newman/Haas. AUTOSPORT talked to the Frenchman about the challenge ahead

Jean Alesi has started 201 grands prix for Ferrari, Benetton, Sauber, Jordan, Prost and Tyrrell - but his experience of oval racing in the United States is zero.

So, to anyone who doesn't know him, making his oval debut in the Indianapolis 500 - with legendary team Newman/Haas, no less - seems far-fetched and outlandish.

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