Please retire

[albert park]

It is just me or is Alesi the worlds biggest under-achiever????
Why are we still saying how good he is when the only guy worst than him is the Ferrari no2 driver, but that goes without saying. Surely it is time for him to give it away and let a young driver in to the car.

Please do not write back to me saying how unlucky he has been over the years and how uncompetitive the Prost is. He struggles to beat his teammate who is not the worlds best driver. He turned the World Championship winning Bennetton Team into losers again with his just as bad buddy Berger.

I am sorry to sound harsh but if you weigh up the facts it is the truth of the matter.

[Peter Mallett]

Actually, whilst you are being harsh you are also right in that he is struggling to beat his teammate. But you fail to point out that of all the drivers on the grid, he is the only one not using traction control. that counts for something. But as I said in my "Can we move on please?" topic, its about time he and a number of others went.

As to Berger? Well, he was a racer who deserved more but unlike number two drivers these days he didn't need a clause in his contract to make him move over, he would give way if the need arose. Thereby missing at least one win (as I recall).

Benetton? They were never the same after MS left them and then Brawn and Byrne. Pat Symonds was never going to be able to replace those two.

[DNQ]

Don't knock Alesi! I admire him as one of the few drivers to put in his maximum effort, and not be afraid to risk taking his opponents off in an overtaking move. Jean is a great driver, and certainly deserves his place in Formula 1. Regarding getting betean by his tammate, I can't really say that I agree that he has. Maybe in qualifying, but he always out races Burti in the race. Don't go Jean!

[jimclark]

Easy DNQ. Nobody's "knocking" Alesi. 'Just an objective observation. I thought he had potential back when he was with Tyrrell, but it never came to fruition. Thirteen years and only one win does not conjure visions of greatness. I never thought G Villeneuve was a great as many do, but at least he accomplished more. Jean has been entertaining but mayhaps it is time for him to step aside.

[DNQ]

No, I am not changing my mind Jean don't go! Remember Spa last year, fourth in one of the worst cars in years. And his consistency this year has been stunning. He has been classified as a finisher in every race, usually in the top 10.

Also, albert park, I noticed you said that Ferrari's no2 is the only driver worse than Jean. Well, Barrichello and Jean are to me, certainly on par with the likes of Irvine, and given the right car Coulthard. Perhaps Jean is not as good as he was a few years ago, but he's getting on in age, and he is still certainly one of the better guys out there...

[RussianFriend]

When I'read the name of the thread I thought it was about Bernie

Whom on earth may old good Jean hinder? He doesn't look as antique Hill looked his last year. Alesi is still fast and fighting. Unfortunatelly he never had a car he deserved. It was pity he didn't go to Williams and prefered Ferrari. It was the decision that spoiled his career.

Realy Jean is real gentleman and racer, he's so different to moderm drivers which are able to sell thier mothers for WDC's sake.

Let him stay longer.

[albert park]

Now DNQ, please spare yourself the energy of trying to defend this man. It is not that I dislike Jean, it is just that he is holding up the development of fast young driver like he once was. He is slowly slipping further down the grid and still makes to many mistakes. And also, your comment saying that being willing to take out an opponent in an overtaking move. Isn't it amazing that when Schuey does such a thing, everybody cries foul, but your saying when Alesi does the same thing he is some kind of hero. I don't think that this quite adds up. Not many people would notice Alesi doing it because he is always down the back of the field where TV cameras fear to tread. The only people I have seen him take out is own teammate (Austrian GP 2000 Heifeld).

[DNQ]

Originally posted by albert park
And also, your comment saying that being willing to take out an opponent in an overtaking move. Isn't it amazing that when Schuey does such a thing, everybody cries foul, but your saying when Alesi does the same thing he is some kind of hero

I am not suggesting that taking people out of races is good, and I am certainly not a Schumacher fan, in fact I have been very critical of his moves in the past.

On reflection, I should have said what I did about jean differently. What I mean, is that he gives it his best effort, and drives 100% all the time, whether or not he is 20th and 5th. Maybe he's not the greatest anymore, but I agree with RussianFriend. He is doing nothing wrong, so why argue about whether or not he should stay.

I noticed you said that he's falling down the grid as the years go by. This year he is equally as good as he was in 1999, and certainly perforing better than in 2000, although that is mainly down to an improvement in his car.

Oh, and as for him being beaten by his teammate, who has three World Championship points this year, and who doesn't? The answers are Alesi and Burti.

I'm not suggesting Jean is a brilliant talent, that he would win races, that he's the fastest the best or whatever. What I am trying to say, is just like the other 21 drivers on the grid, he deserves his place in F1.

[badoer fan]

Leave Jean alone. He's the only person left in F1 who epitomises what I love about the sport (and I'm sure Liz will agree with me).

As for the biggest underacheiver: Badoer, Sospiri, Rosset?

[Airhead]

Originally posted by badoer fan
Leave Jean alone. He's the only person left in F1 who epitomises what I love about the sport (and I'm sure Liz will agree with me).

As for the biggest underacheiver: Badoer, Sospiri, Rosset?

Zonta.

I'm sure Liz will agree with me too.

[f1manoz]

Jean during most of his career has been in the wrong place at the wrong time, which is why his career statistics to not match up to the hype that surrounded him in 1989/1990. But to say that he isn't any good is wrong. Surely one of the most naturally gifted on the circuit today, he is still providing excitement for the fans, and is still as fast as ever. And it appears he's become more consistent with old age!

Let's look at this another way:
Ferrari 1991-1995 - looking back, many would wish he has signed for Williams, but he went with his heart and joined Ferrari. And it just wasn't the place to be. After Prost was sacked, he had to lead a team that was in complete disarray, so no wonder his results don't look good. But the experienced Berger didn't do much better remember.

Benetton 1996-97 - frankly it's no surprise the bubble burst at Benetton after TGF left. Everything was weighted on him driving for the team. And you can't blame Alesi for bringing it down as 1996 was his best ever season, he just wasn't able to win. They still haven't won since Germany 1997!!!

Sauber 1998-99 - maybe he should have left F1 after Benetton, but he loves F1 and good on him for sticking in there. But a high-profile driver such as Alesi was destined never to be married for long.

Prost 2000-on - last year was terrible, but it wasn't Jeans fault while this year he's been outstanding, very consistent even though the car is still ****.

Alesi is still committed as ever to F1. The only thing that goes against him is age. No other team would hire him because of his age. He still has the fire to compete and win, but those days are probably past him. After this year he'll probably retire anyway, and go to CART or maybe even Touring Cars.

[Ralf's Girl]

I don't dislike Jean, nor do I think he lacks talent, but I do think he's past his best. He was good in the early 90s, but he ruined it for himself by signing for Ferrari instead of Williams, and that shaped the rest of his career. By signing for Ferrari back then, he started his own decline in cars that were just not competitive enough (most particularly the Prost). It might sound harsh, but it seems to be his own fault that he's ended up racing at the wrong end of the field.

[Minardi fan]

Jean is a racer, and there aren't enough of them left in F1 today. He deserves his place on the grid and it will be a sad day for F1 when he finally retires.

[Gt_R]

There are better choices for people to leave...Enrique, Burti, and Firstly Tarso Marques.... Jean is a driver i would love to keep in f1 still.

[Speed]

At least he gives us more than other drivers do:

1) His helmet
2) A great rubber-burning donut !

[Tristan]

Mr ALLLLLLBERT!!!! My oh my, WHAT a can of worms you have opened!! Rule #21 of ten-tenths.com forums: THOU SHALT NOT SLAG OFF JEAN ALESI IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.

I DO agree with the majority here that he IS the man. However, he IS a BIG underacheiver. By now he really should have been WDC. But hey! He's got an APPALING manager (whoever he may be) and is always in the wrong team at the wrong time. He WILL retire within the next few years though. Past his peak.

[Guy Goddard]

A brillant driver in the wrong car and the only driver to give his Helmet away this year, stick him in a decent car and he could still match the best.

[enemy-ace]

While I have nothing against Alesi personally, I do think that he is a hinderance to his team. Here's an interesting bit from 'F1 Racing' magazine:
"Prior to the French GP Jean Alesi was telling journalists that he was quicker without traction control. Interesting, then, to compare his qualifying speedtrap performance with that of his team-mate Luciano Burti (who is a 'traction' fan).
At Magny-Cours the speed-trap is positioned less than a 100 metres after the apex of the very slow last corner, making it a very accurate barometer of cars' traction.
Burti was the fastest of all (at 88.9mph) while Alesi was 21st(at 83.0mph). So, a message to Jean: you'd better learn how to use the new gizmos, mon cher, or you'll be left behind. Literally."
If Prost is smart he would put Alesi out to pasture and find himself a new driver to help him develop the car.

[Bononi]

Originally posted by Tristan
Rule #21 of ten-tenths.com forums: THOU SHALT NOT SLAG OFF JEAN ALESI IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.

MIB message here :

"Send us your e-mail. We'll send you a bomb-message"


No rest for the wicked !

[mac]

Jean is a racer, and has a bit of a personality (this is hard to believe, given the number of years he's spent in f1). There should be more like him. He DRIVES the car (as opposed to steering it), he is aggressive and races hard, and looks for any chance to overtake.

Anyone who knocks Jean needs to spend some time in the room of mirrors and have a good, hard look at themselves.

[albert park]

I think that you guys are missing the point and didn't read my last reply properly. It is not that I dislike Jean, it is quite simply sad to see a guy who once upon a time had a lot of raw talent never live up to his or our expectations. Early in his career I was huge fan of his but he disappointed my just too many times. Why not retire with some pride still in place because the longer he racers, the further down the list of great drivers of the past he heads. All I want is a new face who could maybe help develop the prost team around him and one day make them into a reasonable team. If Jean was such a great driver then how come Schuey beat him in the 1996 in a ferrari that was one of Barnards worst ever cars and Jean was in a bennetton with the best engine, Byrne designed and Brawn running the show. Him and Berger can't seem to develop cars at all. It's great to have Jean raw speed, but if you can't develop the car to go faster then you get left behind.

[JeremySmith]

Originally posted by RussianFriend
When I'read the name of the thread I thought it was about Bernie

Whom on earth may old good Jean hinder? He doesn't look as antique Hill looked his last year. Alesi is still fast and fighting. Unfortunatelly he never had a car he deserved. It was pity he didn't go to Williams and prefered Ferrari. It was the decision that spoiled his career.

Realy Jean is real gentleman and racer, he's so different to moderm drivers which are able to sell thier mothers for WDC's sake.

Let him stay longer.

She's right you know!

[Liz]

I do agree with you, Tristan, Jean is the last true racer left on the grid (not using sissybaby handbaggy remote control options on a car that he really has to DRIVE? How dare the man?) Besides his giving the job all the fire and drive he has available, he stands loyally by his friend Alain Prost and even when he makes exasperated remarks about how he could design a better aero package with some string and cardboard, he defends and supports his team.

And of the F1 pilots we saw in the paddock at Silverstone, Jean was the only one who didn't run (and I mean RUN), and when we told him that we had seen him race in Montreal and he was magnificent, he beamed all over his face and said "Thank you."

Of course loyalty, sportsmanship, dramatic flair and a willingness to speak to the fans are old fashioned, and we should replace him with another hollow little PR machine who looks good in the sponsor's clothes and will only speak to High Rollers and Pit Popsies - and can hold onto a steering wheel and get to the finish if all the electronic bits keep doing his job for him ...

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roll on Jean Alesi and may you drive safely and passionately forever, a bright beacon to remind those who can learn from you what a true vocation on the track used to mean to all pilots.

P.S. to Moffatt, Zonta is a brilliant pilot and he will prove it on the grid sooner than you think. He is 10,000 times better than Bunsen and much better looking too. And if he had a yacht he'd invite me on board.

[downforce]

and then what?....the yacht would sink??