Alesi hints at possible partner conflict.

Jean Alesi has recently made comments that suggest his proposed partnership with Pedro Diniz at Prost next year will be anything but harmonious.

The fiery Frenchman is expected to be paired with former Sauber team-mate Pedro Diniz at Guyancourt in 2001 but, following a couple of scrapes in the past season, has again questioned the Brazilian's place in Formula One.

Remarkably, given his lack of success, Diniz is approaching his 100th grand prix, and does not lie too far behind Alesi in terms of being among the most experienced drivers in the current field, but his actions on the track have yet to really endear him to the Prost favourite, who sees him as little more than a monied hopeful.

The two clashed most memorably at this year's German Grand Prix when, with the Safety Car having only just pulled off, Diniz made contact with Alesi's car, pushing the Frenchman into a hair-raising ride along the barriers. With wheels and bodywork being torn off the Prost, Alesi later admitted that he thought he might have died in the accident, and hit out at what he sees as 'pay drivers' taking the place of real talent among the Formula One elite.

Instead of those able to buy their way into a seat, Alesi insisted that he would rather see drives given to young talent such as Jenson Button and Nick Heidfeld, who he feel deserve their place in grands prix regardless of whether they are funded.

With Diniz tipped to line up at Prost next season - by virtue of his Parmalat backing - Alain Prost could find himself in for another tough season.

The situation may be saved, however, by Prost's deal with Ferrari for engines and gearboxes next year. Current rumour suggests that the Scuderia is attempting to buy promising Spaniard Fernando Alonso out of his contract to test with Minardi, and could place him at Prost to gain experience before being promoted to the full Maranello squad in the future. This may be approved by Prost, as Alonso is rumoured to carry with him a sizeable budget for F1.

Alesi would also surely be happy to pair up with a rated young gun - until he finds himself trailing him on a regular basis....