Alesi lucky after crashing out of F1

Formula 1 retiree Jean Alesi crashed out of his final race in Japan after tangling with the Sauber of Kimi Raikkonen, and the Frenchman says he and the young Finn were lucky to escape injury after coming together at more than 120 mph

The 37-year-old, competing in the last race of his 12-year career, could not avoid the Raikkonen's Sauber as he spun at the exit of Dunlop Curve on lap seven of Sunday's race. Alesi's Jordan-Honda, running 10th, ploughed into the Sauber as it spun onto the grass and the two cars rammed the crash barrier together.

Three wheels were ripped off the Sauber and two went bouncing across the track narrowly missing the passing cars of Eddie Irvine and Giancarlo Fisichella. Both Alesi and Raikkonen escaped unhurt, although the latter complained of a headache and a sore neck.

"We have been lucky, both of us," said Alesi. "I am very happy I did not hurt him because he was just in front of me and the nose is quite high. I was very happy and everything was going well until that point. I am sad to finish my career like this, but that's life. That's motor racing and we have to accept it."

After he climbed out of the car Alesi spoke to Raikkonen, 22 on Wednesday, who was sitting with his head in his hands on a bench beside the track. This was Raikkonen's last race for Sauber before joining McLaren as Mika Hakkinen's replacement.