23 replies to this topic

[X-ray]

Now with one of the must colourful driver of F1 have retired, what are your thoughts on his career?

Dicing with none other than Senna in his first full season, in a Tyrrell, many believed that this man is gonna be World Champ, its just a question of when.

Joining Ferrari in '91 instead of Williams full of hope, since in '90, the Ferrari had a great chassis and Prost fighting for the WDC.

With his passion for Ferrari he stuck with them during 5 hard season's, and it wasn't before the middle of '95, the moment came; Jean Alesi winning a Gp! But there should've been many more if realibility wasnt to take its toll, leaving Jean walking back to the pits after being in the lead going for victory.

Switching teams with Schuey for '96, and was one of the favourites for the title. Ross and Byrne designed a new car, mostly because of large regilation changes, instead of an evolution of the successfull but nervous b195. The '96 season was the hardest blow for Alesi, although on paper his best year, but in realilty the year when his dreams of becoming WDC were fading.

The '97 season gave me the feeling that usual fire of Jean was missing, his heart wasn't really in it, and who could blame him.

Had enough of Benetton, switching to Sauber, Jean gave the last bit of fire left in him to give us some beautiful drives, some ending for mechanical failures.

In '99 Sauber were on a townward slope and Jean Alesi a few good drives but performance was fading more and more.

Joining his friend Prost, I hopes of a more competive ride, he was left with mess with Peugeot personel being on strike, Team being bought by a brazilian playboy and former team-mate, sponsors leaving without paying, and in short: More dissapointment for Jean. He did some great driving like 7th in Monaco and at one time 4th in the race at Spa in '00. 6th place in Monaco and 5th place in Canada in '01.


All in all, a career full with flare, excitement, dissapointment and bad decisions. But that what makes him so special, that what makes him Jean Alesi.

[Sergino]

good idea, but a lot of career summary has been written so far.

[kenny]

Originally posted by X-ray
But that what makes him so special, that what makes him Jean Alesi.

[LeTurc]

what is interesting about Alesi is that he is so unlucky. He had 32 podiums and only one win. This is bad luck.

[Earthling]

And that is why my friend, DTM will become more popular.

[X-ray]

Originally posted by Sergino
good idea, but a lot of career summary has been written so far.

Perhaps, but no thread on this BB since his retirement, until now.

[Ghostrider]

Great summary!!

I just hope that Fisi will not end up as Alesi, a great talent, but never at the right place at the right time.

[X-ray]

nah, dont worry. Listen to what Eddie Irvine says and I quote:

"Fisichella is a bloody good driver, for me he is in the top four drivers"

[SeanValen]

X rayBut that what makes him so special, that what makes him Jean Alesi.

Agreed, Excellent Losing Mika and Alesi for 2002, big shame, but they made their mark in different ways, although we never got to see the best of Alesi, only the potential.

[cheesy poofs]

My memory of Alesi: CANADA 1995

I was sitting at the hairpin waiting for Alesi to come around for his cool down lap after his win.

What happened next...!! his Ferrari stalled coming out of the hairpin, right in front on the cheering crowd who was going absolutely crazy !

The fans were delighted to see the blood red number 27 car win again. Alesi then climbed out of his car and began waving to the crowd, who in turn, became even more crazy for their hero who had finally won that first elusive GP win !

Maaaaaan ! That was such a special day that I'll never forget !



Canadian GP 1999: Alesi's car stops at the exact same spot as 1995 and with practice over, what does he do next ?? He walks to the middle of the race track and throws his helmet to the cheering crowd !!! That what his way to thanking the crowd who had cheered him 4 years before !!

[Ghostrider]

Originally posted by X-ray
nah, dont worry. Listen to what Eddie Irvine says and I quote:

, yepp that's true. But Eddie does unfortunately not run a top-team.

[Raelene]

X-Ray - good post

I've been watching a lot of the races recently from the start of Alesi's career.. his decision making really ruined what looked to be an excellent career.

[Earthling]

Originally posted by X-ray
nah, dont worry. Listen to what Eddie Irvine says and I quote:

That wont help Fisi get a good car...
It sure didnt help Alesi.

Another thing is, if Fisi ends up with Ferrari and MS is gone....how do u think they will fair against the other teams???
I think Ferrari's speed will drop down due to no team MS, and even if they did remain....the car might not suit Fizzy Cola.

Who knows...

[Mila]

Originally posted by cheesy poofs
My memory of Alesi: CANADA 1995

I was sitting at the hairpin waiting for Alesi to come around for his cool down lap after his win.

sitting?;)

it's a pity that he didn't win at Monza, especially in 94 and 95.

for me, too much is made of the "mind vs. heart" dilemma; I can't believe that any driver can be the emotional twit Alesi has reputedly been and still have a decade-long F1 career.

if it hadn't been for THAT ONE bad career move in 91, we would have seen him in a top car, and, thus, would have been able to better assess his potential.

[Ivan]

It's funny in hindsight how things work.
Think about this. If Jean had of gone to Williams, I don't think Nigel or Damon would have titles. Jean might have had two or three. Jacques might not have come over. Jean fighting Micheal in top line teams. Senna might still be here. Many things change with just one man deciding a different future.

[Noctua]

Originally posted by X-ray
Now with one of the must colourful driver of F1 have retired, what are your thoughts on his career?


All in all, a career full with flare, excitement, dissapointment and bad decisions. But that what makes him so special, that what makes him Jean Alesi.

His career should've been much better, but what the heck ....... I liked his style both on and off track anyhow.
He gave me (us) many years of joy just because of his fighting spirit.
Bad luck always remained in his shadow.
On the tribune in Monza, a sheer of joy rans thru the crowds ...... Jean is leading .... then .... his camera fell off damaging Berger's suspension ...... Jean goes on only to retire a couple of laps later with overheated wheelbearings ...... but the emotion going round there I'll never forget.
His win in Canada although a bit lucky was most deserved and even brought tears in my eyeballs.

Thank you Jean, I will not lightly forget you

[AlesiGOD]

Awesome thread...

[Earthling]

The thing i still cant get through my head is that he finished in the USA Phoenix 90 race only 5 seconds behind Senna and about 40 seconds ahead of the 3rd place.

How the heck did he do it in that underpowered Ford, and then doesnt do as well through out the rest of the season bar 1 other race maybe...???

[Rediscoveryx]

I just couldn't believe his bad luck...

I remember Phoenix 1990, I would have given anything for Senna's car to break down in the closing stages. How many drivers could have done what Jean did that day? Very few, even less in their first full season.

At Monza in 1994 and 1995 he so richly deserved to win. Can you imagine Jean stepping up on the highest podium place in front of the tifosi? It was not his fault it didn't happen.

And how many times did he retire or suffer problems while leading in 1996?

Alesi's career is probably the one career in formula one history where the stats don't tell the whole story. Chris Amon and Gilles Villeneuve come close, but I'd rate Alesi higher than both of them.

[Zmeej]

Alesi was a good guy and an exciting driver, and the summary provided is well done, but the man was also a bit of a dingbat.

Anybody remember the time he refused to come in when his team (Benetton) was pleading with him to, and RAN OUT OF GAS???

It was also the occasion for a famous Murray moment, in the way he called the fact that the team were "ab-so-lute-ley F-Y-U-ree-ous."
Not an isolated incident either...

Note to Alesi fans: I like him, I like him (please don't throw the really sharp rocks), just thought I'd add a bit of balance.

***
I'd like to dedicate this, my 200th post, to Alesi's long-standing partner, Gerhard Berger (also a fave of mine), who ended up in a gravel trap in his 200th.

[Earthling]

Almost any1 who has to say a bad thing about Alesi will most likely start with the out-of-fuel in Oz.

[X-ray]

Originally posted by Mila
it's a pity that he didn't win at Monza, especially in 94 and 95.

for me, too much is made of the "mind vs. heart" dilemma; I can't believe that any driver can be the emotional twit Alesi has reputedly been and still have a decade-long F1 career.

His perfomance at Monza in '94 was the best I've seen from Jean. Before the GP he said he would take the pole and win. Strong words, but come friday practice he dominated the whole weekend, being fastest in practice, qualifying and the race. no ONE derserved a win more than Jean that day.

if it hadn't been for THAT ONE bad career move in 91, we would have seen him in a top car, and, thus, would have been able to better assess his potential.

I dont agree that it was a bad move at the time. Prost nearly won the title in '90 and Ferrari were on the up, Williams weren't.

His career would have been much more successfull though with atleast one WDC, but would he have as many fans? Especially if he never was to drive fpr Ferrari through his whole career?? I doubt it.

[X-ray]

Originally posted by Zmeej
Anybody remember the time he refused to come in when his team (Benetton) was pleading with him to, and RAN OUT OF GAS???

He didn't refuse, his radio wasn't working and he wasnt looking at pit-board or the pits to see the team waving him to come in. He was racing.

Was it stupid to not realize to come in? Yes.

[Boston Killer]

Originally posted by Ivan
It's funny in hindsight how things work.
Think about this. If Jean had of gone to Williams, I don't think Nigel or Damon would have titles. Jean might have had two or three. Jacques might not have come over. Jean fighting Micheal in top line teams. Senna might still be here. Many things change with just one man deciding a different future.

Great point, Ivan!

When I think of Jean, I think not only of my favorite RACER, but also a person who took sooo many poor decisions that effected basically all F1. Man, I'd love to see what the sport would have been like had Giovanni joined Williams in 1991