Jean Robert Alesi (born June 11, 1964) is a French former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1989 to 2001 with a total of 32 podiums and one win. Alesi famously achieved his only victory at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix with Ferrari.
Tyrrell
Alesi’s Formula One career began at the 1989 French Grand Prix with Tyrrell as a replacement for Michele Alboreto, who switched to Larrousse after a clash in sponsorship. Alesi stayed with Tyrrell for 1990 as the team’s lead driver in his first full season as a Grand Prix driver. He immediately scored his first two F1 podiums with second place finishes at the United States Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix, on both occasions finishing only behind eventual champion Ayrton Senna.
Scuderia Ferrari
Despite initially signing with Williams for the 1991 season, Alesi joined Scuderia Ferrari alongside fellow French driver Alain Prost. Remaining with Ferrari until 1995, he scored 15 podiums and his only F1 win in his final season with the team.
Benetton
Fresh from winning his second world title, Michael Schumacher was signed by Ferrari for the 1996 season which prompted both Alesi and teammate Gerhard Berger to join Benetton. Despite the Renault-powered team’s dip in form after Schumacher’s exit, Alesi scored a staggering 13 podiums during his two seasons with the team. He also finished a career high of fourth in the overall drivers’ standings in each of his seasons with Benetton.
Sauber
Alesi drove for Sauber from 1998 to 1999. He would score his final F1 podium with the Swiss team at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix behind Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher.
Prost and Jordan
The French driver joined Prost in 2000, the team named after and owned by his former Ferrari teammate. Alesi left the team after the 2001 German Grand Prix, and raced for Jordan for the remainder of what would be his final season in Formula One.
F. P. Journe
While not Formula One-related, the unique F.P. Journe Octa Sport S “Jean Alesi” Indy 500 is worth a mention. The timepiece was announced in 2012 with a limited run of 99 pieces (numbered 501 to 599), and commemorated Alesi’s participation that year’s Indianapolis 500. F.P. Journe branding also appeared on his Lotus Indycar.
Montegrappa
Alesi is a shareholder and board member of Italian luxury brand Montegrappa, best known for fountain pens. Montegrappa unveiled the Jean Alesi Edition Chronograph (ref. IDJNWA00) in November of 2016, which was designed in collaboration with the French driver. The dial features Alesi’s signature underneath the brand logo, and launched with a limited run of 300 pieces.
References
https://all-i-c.com/en/the-f-p-journe-linesport-collection-is-celebrating-its-10th-anniversary/
https://masterhorologer.com/2012/07/02/f-p-journe-octa-sport-indy-500-limited-edition-automatic-watch-blackened-aluminium-alloy-case-and-black-dial/
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/important-watches-5/octa-sport-indy-500-a-limited-edition-blackened
https://www.europeanwatch.com/watch/f-p-journe-octa-sport-s-jean-alesi-indy-500-limited-25144
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriekahle/2012/05/24/jean-alesi-and-f-p-journe-hit-the-track-at-indy/
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/jean-alesi-ends-motorsport-career-53186.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20170808180641/http://www.montegrappa.com/it/collections/orologi/jeanalesi-968.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqaQOy5CkNo
https://moodiedavittreport.com/montegrappa-finds-a-winning-formula-with-jean-alesi-wristwatch/
https://www.theluxediary.com/montegrappa-jean-alesi-launch/
https://luxurylaunches.in/jean-alesi-inspires-montegrappas-latest-limited-edition-choronograph-time-piece/