Alesi: Sad to be leaving, happy career

The 37-year-old Frenchman announced his retirement on Wednesday after the Jordan-Honda team confirmed it had signed Takuma Sato to join Giancarlo Fisichella for 2002, leaving Alesi without a drive.

"When you love something you never think about stopping. But we have to be realistic. There is a start, there is an end," said Alesi at Suzuka. "Sunday night is going to be the end of my Formula 1 life as a driver, as a fighter.

"I have so many things to say. It's very difficult to explain everything in such a short time. In one sentence I would like to say that I have loved everything - the people who I work with in the good and bad moments, because life cannot be flat, that's why it is interesting. Driving was exciting as well."

Alesi also spoke of the lows during his time in F1, including when Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger were killed at the San Marino GP in 1994.

"I've been very sad and I still think about the drivers we lost, Ratzenberger and Senna, but the rest was very exciting," said Alesi, who competed in his 200th race at Indianapolis two weeks ago. "Formula 1 is obviously changing slowly and you need to accept it, especially when you love the sport.

"After 200 races, it's not difficult to understand how our sport changes and I understand it is time for me to stop. In this business you can't wait until the moment when you can't drive anymore because you really look ridiculous. So I will enjoy my race from tomorrow (Friday) to Sunday. I will try to drive in the last race as I was driving in '89."

Although his career has been filled with passion for the sport, which was a hallmark of his driving, Alesi denied it had affected his decision-making process in choosing teams - particularly when he snubbed Williams to join Ferrari in 1991.

Signing for Ferrari was "the was the best moment of my career" he said, preferring it over his solitary victory in Canada in 1995.

"When I signed for Ferrari," he added, "Ferrari was going to win the world championship. It's like when you go to Lotto, you have the numbers, you play and when the numbers are out, maybe you think it's a shame. I didn't put the right numbers."

Despite retiring from Formula 1, Alesi has not ruled out other forms of racing and the 37-year-old has also been linked to a development driver or coaching role with Jordan.

"I will not stay at home even though I love [my wife] Kumiko and the children," he said. "I will do something. I am talking seriously with Jordan."