Alesi pledges to sign off in style
Retiring star Jean Alesi says he will be signing off from Grand Prix racing with the fastest weekend of his 12-year Formula 1 career at Suzuka in Japan
The 37-year-old Frenchman, who announced his retirement after being sidelined by Jordan's signing of Takuma Sato, topped the timesheets at the end of the first day's practice for Sunday's Japanese GP.
"I enjoyed it today because I am retiring," he said. "For that reason it is very important to use all these sessions to enjoy my racing life. I really love motor racing. I need it and I have to stop - but I want to stop in the best way I can."
He denied that the time-topping performance was not representative of what the Honda-powered Jordan - racing on Honda's home circuit - is capable of.
"The car is very competitive," he said. " You have to understand you cannot do anything without the car. I am not sure what we are capable of this weekend. At the moment everyone needs to be patient, just like me. For sure, this will be the fastest weekend of my life."
Share Or Save This Story
Race of my life: When a starring wet-weather drive went unrewarded for Alesi
When Alesi was reunited with his “dream” F1 racer
Autosport writers' favourite cars from the 1990s
How Antonelli's luxury problem is causing Wolff and Mercedes grey hairs
WRC secures major three-year broadcast deal with BBC
What's behind the talks between the FIA president and Alonso over ADUO?
Evans favourite to become WRC champion as Rally Saudi Arabia is cancelled
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments