Jean Alesi's breakout year
Sweeping to F3000 success, winning over an F1 team and making a spectacular grand prix debut. Jean Alesi looks back on a breakout 1989 season with CHARLES BRADLEY
Breakout years, the kind that define a top-level driver's career and can shake up an entire generation, come along only rarely. Last year Daniel Ricciardo had that kind of season. But a quarter of a century ago, with legendary talent spotters Eddie Jordan and Ken Tyrrell behind him, Jean Alesi became the hottest prospect on the grand prix grid.
But does it really feel like a quarter of a century ago to Alesi? "I can believe it was 25 years ago, because today my kid is racing and I am the one who is doing all the watching!" he laughs today. "But when you have a chance, you just have to take it. In 1989 I had the chance, in F3000 and then in F1, and I just said to myself, 'Go for it'."
Porsche reacts to Lamborghini pace, explains 963 update strategy
Porsche reacts to Lamborghini pace, explains 963 update strategy Porsche reacts to Lamborghini pace, explains 963 update strategy
Lamborghini “surprised” by pace of new prototype in IMSA group test
Lamborghini “surprised” by pace of new prototype in IMSA group test Lamborghini “surprised” by pace of new prototype in IMSA group test
Bourdais: Cadillac “still really green on knowledge” of GTP car
Bourdais: Cadillac “still really green on knowledge” of GTP car Bourdais: Cadillac “still really green on knowledge” of GTP car
Why Palou’s latest IndyCar contract flip infuriated McLaren
Why Palou’s latest IndyCar contract flip infuriated McLaren Why Palou’s latest IndyCar contract flip infuriated McLaren
McLaren v Palou: What's on the line in high-stakes court case?
McLaren v Palou: What's on the line in high-stakes court case? McLaren v Palou: What's on the line in high-stakes court case?
NASCAR champion Blaney "poked around" idea of Indy 500 bid with Penske
NASCAR champion Blaney "poked around" idea of Indy 500 bid with Penske NASCAR champion Blaney "poked around" idea of Indy 500 bid with Penske
Friday favourite: The long-standing F1 team-mates who crashed Todt's car
Friday favourite: The long-standing F1 team-mates who crashed Todt's car Friday favourite: The long-standing F1 team-mates who crashed Todt's car
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How being a target for young drivers spurred Mikkelsen back to WRC
How being a target for young drivers spurred Mikkelsen back to WRC How being a target for young drivers spurred Mikkelsen back to WRC
Pirelli: Scrapping F1 tyre blanket ban will help for better racing tyres in 2025
Pirelli: Scrapping F1 tyre blanket ban will help for better racing tyres in 2025 Pirelli: Scrapping F1 tyre blanket ban will help for better racing tyres in 2025
Hamilton: FIA behaviour on Toto and Susie Wolff is “unacceptable”
Hamilton: FIA behaviour on Toto and Susie Wolff is “unacceptable” Hamilton: FIA behaviour on Toto and Susie Wolff is “unacceptable”
Porsche reacts to Lamborghini pace, explains 963 update strategy
Porsche reacts to Lamborghini pace, explains 963 update strategy Porsche reacts to Lamborghini pace, explains 963 update strategy
The long term potential that elevates F1 2023’s star appointment
The long term potential that elevates F1 2023’s star appointment The long term potential that elevates F1 2023’s star appointment
How F1's Verstappen era compares to Schumacher's early 2000s dominance
How F1's Verstappen era compares to Schumacher's early 2000s dominance How F1's Verstappen era compares to Schumacher's early 2000s dominance
How the FIA/Wolff case could shape F1’s political landscape
How the FIA/Wolff case could shape F1’s political landscape How the FIA/Wolff case could shape F1’s political landscape
The two sides of F1’s next big rules row
The two sides of F1’s next big rules row The two sides of F1’s next big rules row
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.