Alesi Makes Early End to F1 Career

Jean Alesi bowed out of Formula One early after a dramatic crash on lap six of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

Alesi, in his 201st Grand Prix, hit the Sauber of Kimi Raikkonen, who had lost control and was spinning backwards, and the pair crashed into the barriers at the Dunlop Curve.

The rear of Raikkonen's Sauber appeared to bottom out and Alesi could not help hitting his rival and sending him into the barrier. Raikkonen lost three wheels and wrecked his Sauber, but was unhurt.

"I'm very happy that I did not hurt him," said Alesi. "I've got a high nosecone and there was nothing I could do. It's a bit sad not to finish and I didn't want to finish my career like that, but that's life."

Alesi's premature finish was the first time he has not been classified this season and meant he missed out on being placed in every race this season. He would have been the first driver to do so since Richie Ginther in 1964.

Raikkonen went to the Suzuka circuit's medical centre for a check-up after complaining of head and neck pains and later said: "I haven't seen a replay yet, but the rear just slipped out and I lost all the grip. It's bad for Jean, but that's racing."