Alesi: “The comparison between me and Leclerc doesn’t hold up”

A life dedicated to Ferrari without a world championship After the two-year period in Tyrrell between 1989 and 1990, Jean Alesi was one of the most talented young drivers attracted by the top Formula 1 teams. Williams had managed to sign him for 1991, but an excessive wait for the officialization allowed Ferrari to enter and take him away from Sir Frank.
It wasn’t a cost-free move, given that Maranello paid out 4 million dollars, but over the years Alesi has become one of the red team’s most loved drivers.
Beloved but not very successful – only 1 success in 5 years – due to a Ferrari that was far from the competitiveness of McLaren, Williams and Benetton, who shared the world championships in those years.
In his 7th year at Ferrari, Leclerc has only collected 8 victories and has never been in the fight for the championship: in these respects he is often compared to Alesi – especially after the latest contract renewal. Is Leclerc the new Alesi? Jean replies From the pages of Quotidiano Sportivo Leo Turrini posed the question to Jean Alesi, who did not hesitate to answer: “No, not at all, the comparison doesn’t hold up. I admit that there is a similarity between us. I ended up in Maranello in a period of technical crisis, so much so that my great friend Michael – a giant – didn’t win straight away! Leclerc experienced a similar situation”. Alesi is convinced that the moment of difficulty experienced by Leclerc in the last three grands prix will end soon: “Of course! He doesn’t have to prove anything, he is a top driver and he has demonstrated it” and that it is not linked to the positive performances of Lewis Hamilton: “Excluded”, exclaimed the French driver with confidence. Jean Alesi contested 79 grands prix in Ferrari, with only 1 victory – Montreal 1995 – and 16 podiums overall and two fifth places in the drivers’ championship as the best final result.

Automobile Magazine – Formula1 English, News

2026-06-24 04:00:00