Jean Alesi

Ferrari's sole winner of the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix

Jean Robert Alesi (born Giovanni Roberto Alesi, 11 June 1964) is a French former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1989 to 2001. Alesi won the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix with Ferrari.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Giovanni Roberto Alesi
Born: 11 June 1964
Birthplace: Avignon, Vaucluse, France
Children: 4, including Giuliano

Lore & Background

Alesi was born in Avignon to Sicilian parents. He started karting aged 16 and won the French Formula Three Championship in 1987. He won the International Formula 3000 title with Jordan in 1989. He made his Formula One debut with Tyrrell at the 1989 French Grand Prix, finishing fourth.

He scored his maiden podium at the opening round of the 1990 season, repeating this feat in Monaco. He signed for Ferrari in 1991 to partner Alain Prost, scoring several podiums across five seasons before taking his sole victory at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix. He left Ferrari at the end of the 1995 season after twice finishing fifth in the standings, swapping seats with Michael Schumacher to join Benetton. He later drove for Sauber, Prost, and Jordan before retiring at the conclusion of the 2001 season.

Alesi holds the joint-record for most podium finishes before first win (fifteen). After Formula One, he raced in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters from 2002 to 2006, the Speedcar Series, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500 in 2012. He was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 2006.

Reader's Guide

Alesi's Ferrari years (1991–1995): He finished 7th in the championship in 1991 and 7th in 1992. He became the team's number one driver for 1992 after Prost was sacked following the 1991 Japanese Grand Prix. His only win for Ferrari was the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix.