Jean Alesi feels like Charles Leclerc and reassures on Lewis Hamilton

Jean Alesi spoke to La Stampa about what happened in 1995, the year of his only victory in Formula 1: “I made a good start to the season, then that day I wanted to win at all costs.” Memorable was the comeback lap, when, out of gas in his Ferrari, he accepted a ride from Michael Schumacher: “That day I saw him excited for me, since it was my first win. He told me I had done well, he hugged me in the parc ferme. I always had a wonderful relationship with him, and that is why I was not disappointed when he took my place in Ferrari” the following year.

“The Ferrari fans were pushing me because they wanted the World Championship, then they realized that the cars I drove could not win the championship. But despite everything I gave my soul, every drop of sweat, to get to the front as much as possible, and they appreciated that so much.”

He also ticks off a comparison with Charles Leclerc: “I was a bit like him, yes. Unlucky because he didn’t have the car to get to fight all the way for a World Championship. For me he remains the strongest driver on the grid by talent, I hope he can have a chance in the future.”

He closed on Ferrari: “Vasseur does not have the power that someone like Jean Todt had. The difficulties are not in his choices, but in some people inside Ferrari today who want to be in charge and are not competent. I think Lewis can soon return to the levels, it is a matter of adapting well to the car”.