Jean Alesi hasn't vacated the comfortable cockpit much since climbing in the No. 64 Lotus-FP Journe-Fan Force United car May 10 for Rookie Orientation.

He's even behind the wheel as it's being towed to and from pit lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"We have to have somebody steering the car when it is being towed," team manager Ted Bitting said.  "Drivers don't normally do that. In my experience, drivers don't want to do that. Unfortunately, none of our crew is able to fit in Jean's seat, so he ends up having to do it.  Besides, he needs to break in his seat, so the more time he spends in it the better. Jean is great to work with and does everything we ask him to do. He has a great attitude."

The former Formula One veteran passed the third speed phase of the rookie program May 14, recording 45 laps with a best of 42.5499 seconds (211.516 mph).

"This is what the team has asked me to do, so this is what I am doing," he said matter-of-factly.

Alesi announced in September his intentions of competing in the 500 Mile Race for the first time with Group Lotus. Alesi, who made 201 F1 starts, turns 48 on June 11 (he's oldest first-year competitor in the history of the race).

"I am enjoying my time here very much," he said. "I am enjoying being able to talk to the fans, to sign autographs and pictures of my race cars from quite a few years ago. Everything here is very much different from what I have experienced, and I am liking it quite a lot. Of course, I have heard about the Indy 500 from many of my friends who have raced here over the years, so being here and finally doing it myself is very exciting.

"I am finally beginning to understand why they were always so excited. I want to put on a good show for the Indy fans, so I am attempting to stay 100 percent focused on my task, which is, of course, to make the car go as fast as possible."