Former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi pinpoints biggest regret of Formula 1 career

Ex-Ferrari man Jean Alesi has openly shared that his greatest career regret was the inability to secure victory at the Italian Grand Prix in front of the Tifosi. The former Ferrari driver boasts an impressive F1 career, spanning 202 races from 1989 to 2001, clinching one race win with the Maranello team and gracing the podium 32 times.

During his five-season stint with Scuderia Ferrari, Jean Alesi set a record for the most consecutive races without a victory for a Ferrari driver, standing at 67, which was later surpassed by Brazilian Felipe Massa one decade ago. Monza, the oldest circuit still in use on the Formula 1 calendar, proudly claims the highest average speed among all tracks featured in the current championship.

For many drivers, winning the Monza race marks the pinnacle of their careers, especially for Ferrari drivers who enjoy the fervent support of the Italian fans and have historically achieved remarkable feats in front of their home crowd at Monza and Imola. Now, Jean Alesi has openly expressed his remorse over not being able to clinch victory at the Monza racing track.

“I have raced here in Monza ten times, winning a couple of poles, but I have never managed to win,” – the former F1 driver explained in an interview for Italian newspaper Tuttosport on Saturday – “I’d even more so [like to win] dressed in red.”

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Today, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will take up the mission of electrifying the Tifosi, aiming to secure a podium finish or perhaps even pose a formidable challenge to Max Verstappen for the race win in the 2023 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. This season has presented significant challenges for the team, with their current position at fourth in the constructors’ championship. The Italian media’s relentless scrutiny has placed immense pressure on both the drivers and team leadership.

Delivering a reason for their loyal home fans to rejoice is bound to alleviate this pressure, providing a much-needed morale boost as they embark on the final stretch of eight races for the season: “Every time I come to Monza, as soon as I pass the Vedano gate I feel the passion,” Jean Alesi pointed out – “I am proud to be part of the Ferrari family. And at the same time I assure you that here you understand that Ferrari is not a simple Formula 1 team, but a religion.” – the former Ferrari driver concluded.