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JEAN ALESI Nationality: French. DOB 11 June, 1964 Active 1989 - Present Jean Alesi is one of many drivers who have had their career saved by Eddie Jordan. Alesi languished in Formula 3000 before Jordan signed the French driver up to his own F3000 team and Alesi responded to the working environment by winning the championship in great style. Alesi made his debut for Tyrrell at the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard in 1989. Ken Tyrrell admitted at the time that he chose Alesi over other drivers because he was leading the Formula 3000 championship at the time. Alesi ran as high as second in the race, before finally finishing in a superb 4th position. Alesi revelled in the Tyrrell Ford, the characteristics of which really suited his aggressive driving style. Alesi remained with Tyrrell in 1990. The first race of the season saw Alesi lead the Phoenix Grand Prix in Arizona for well over half distance. Alesi was on top form, being passed - then re-passing Senna for the lead. Senna eventually won the day, but Alesi had made his mark. A similar story at Monaco and Alesi was in huge demand from the top Formula One teams. It has been speculated that Alesi managed to sign contracts with Williams, Ferrari and McLaren for the following year - simultaneously. Once the legal disputes regarding Alesi�s contract had been sorted out, Alesi made his 1991 debut with Ferrari. The dream had come true for Alesi, but it was quickly to turn sour. The Ferrari was never a race winning car in Alesi�s five seasons with Ferrari. In 1991 Alesi joined Alan Prost, but the championship was never really on for either driver. Alesi produced some stunning drives, but only managed to score 21 points in the championship. 1992 saw things hit rock bottom at Ferrari as John Barnard had departed and the team began to restructure. The car was simply awful and Jean Alesi made what little he could from the year. 1993 was little better with just two podium positions and 16 points. However, by 1994 Alesi�s driving seemed to be getting desperate. The season started well with a fine third place at Brazil, but a testing accident resulted in a fractured spine. Alesi missed two races as a result, but bounced back to record another five points finishing positions by the end of the year. Alesi claimed his first pole position at Monza the same year and was very unlucky not to win the race - once again retiring while leading. Belgium was the same story, lead and retire. 1995 saw some of the best driving from Alesi. The first and to date, only win, came on his birthday at the Montreal circuit and Alesi had finally won a race... In general the season was fairly good with Alesi claiming 5th position in the championship - but it was all about to change. A move to Benetton to make way for Michael Schumacher for 1996 followed. Few could believe that anyone could try harder than Alesi at Ferrari. They were wrong. Alesi�s Benetton career became nothing short of a nightmare. Rarely on the ultimate pace, Alesi has looked a shadow of his former self. Whether it is the car that he could not get along with, or the Benetton working environment, we do not know. While Alesi�s driving was disappointing, he had good reliability in a car for the first time in his career. As a result of this Alesi finished 1996 in a strong 4th position in the championship. 1997 produced little in the driving flair department, but Alesi managed to rack up the points to end the year in 3rd position over-all - despite Benetton cramping his usual exuberant style. For 1998 Alesi faced life outside the top four teams for the first time, with a contact with Sauber-Petronas. The move which seemed at best dubious at the time has since proved inspired. Alesi has once again found an environment in which he can thrive and his driving and off-track persona reflected contentment within the team. The season was however a bit of a disappointment, with nine championship points and a single podium at Spa Francorchamps little in the way of reward for one of Alesi's more impressive seasons. Alesi remains with Sauber for 1999 - the team having taken up their option on his services. A win might be out of the question at the moment, but one thing is for sure - Alesi will never give up. | ||||||||||||||||
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