Alesi in the wall, Werner penalized: rifified at the Monaco Historic GP

The attraction of the 12th Historic Monaco Grand Prix was the participation of Jean Alesi on a Ferrari 312 ex-Niki Lauda. The Frenchman was at the heart of attention and the fight for victory in the F series (F1 from 1973 to 1976).

The Avignonnais, author of the second best time in practice on Saturday, completed the jump on pole sitter Marco Werner (Lotus 77) when the lights went out. What followed was a duel at loggerheads lasting 16 rounds negotiated at an infernal pace.

Replay Start Series F

The flight of Jean ALESI#GrandPrixMonacoHistory pic.twitter.com/ReOdoX6HnS

- Automobile Club MC (@ACM_Media) April 25, 2021

The three-time winner of 24 Hours of Le Mans with Audi applied constant pressure on the victorious man at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix. Jean Alesi seemed able to maintain his rank until the checkered flag, as overtaking opportunities are rare in the Principality, without count his virile but correct defense.

However, coming out of Anthony Noguès' corner at the start of the pit straight, the two cars made contact. The Ferrari, sent into the wall, capitulated, unlike the Lotus, able to continue its journey before the red flag came out.

Missed gear ratio on the part of the Italian racing car? Or too late an avoidance maneuver on the part of the Lotus? Still, the commissioners decided to penalize Marco Werner. Falling back to third place, the German then refused to appear on the podium.

Find in AUTO issue 2309weekly, on sale Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands, the report of the Monaco Historic GP by our special correspondent.