Flash.(Briefs)

Alonso debuts

F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso finally got to drive a McLaren-Mercedes when he debuted for the team during December testing at Jerez. Alonso asked Renault F1 team principal Flavio Briatore for a one-day release from his contract, which did not expire until Jan. 1, and Briatore acquiesced.

Alonso drove in white overalls and helmet, completing 95 laps in a car that also lacked sponsor logos. He finished the day third-fastest, less than three-tenths of a second slower than new teammate Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen, the man who replaced him at Renault.

Minardi joins Champ Car

Former Minardi F1 team owner Paul Stoddart has purchased a controlling interest in the CTE Racing-HVM Champ Car team. Stoddart will run a multi-car team-probably three cars, he says-along with current CTE-HVM owner Keith Wiggins.

The newly christened Minardi Team USA hopes to finalize its drivers and sponsors ahead of Champ Car's Jan. 23-25 test session at Sebring. Former Minardi F1 pilots Jos Verstappen and Robert Doornbos are in the frame, as are Dan Clarke and Nelson Philippe, CTE-HVM's 2006 drivers. Stoddart says Katherine Legge is also a candidate.

Rudd returns