35 years ago: Alesi reveals himself during a duel with Senna in Phoenix

It's already been 30 years since Jean Alesi revealed himself to the world during the opening round of the 1990 season of Formula 1 ! To see the Frenchman's feat, you had to stay up late, as the event was held in Phoenix (Arizona), in the United States. On March 11, 1990, 26 competitors lined up on the starting grid. Even the last ones at the back of the straight were happy to be there, because they had to go through pre-qualifying and qualifying. In these two sessions, nine drivers were asked to pack up and leave.

The outgoing world champion Alain Prost (Ferrari) did not make any sparks because he found himself in seventh place on the grid. Conversely, his compatriot Jean Alesi (Tyrrell), for his fourth start in F1, surprises observers with the fourth best performance, ahead, neither more nor less, of Ayrton Senna (McLaren).

The grid is very strange since we find the modest Minardi and Dallara of Pierluigi Martini and Andrea of ​​Cesari occupying second and third place! The hierarchy is in fact established from Friday practice, the rain having disrupted the Saturday session.

When the lights go out, Jean Alesi takes off like a rocket. The outgoing champion of Formula 3000 veers into the lead at the first right angle turn. Equipped with Pirelli tires that he barely knows (the agreement was made at the start of the meeting), the Frenchman will lead the following 34 laps to the great pleasure of Ken Tyrrell. “We knew its own potential quite well before arriving here. What we didn't know, however, was its potential based on the Pirelli tires. We are reassured. »

Behind, Ayrton Senna took advantage of a mistake by his teammate Gerhard Berger to steal second place. The Brazilian set his mind on wiping out a deficit of more than eight seconds on the Frenchman. When contact was made, "Magic" tried an offensive, but, surprise, Jean Alesi responded instantly! The McLaren swung the wheel to let the Tyrrell pass. A lap later, Ayrton Senna did it again, this time blocking the inside trajectory at the next corner. But "Jeannot" was no fool and narrowly missed. The Japanese engineers and the Tyrrell boss laughed on the pit wall, and the television audience was jubilant.

While the Ferraris explode their engine (Mansell) and their gearbox (Prost), Ayrton Senna gains ground on Jean Alesi. The duel is over, and the Brazilian signs his 21st victory in F1. Jean Alesi, praised by the press, reveled in his second place and his combative driving. “No doubt I could have given in to Ayrton's first attack but I was not resigned. I wanted to push back the deadline, hold on for two or three more rounds. It's our job after all! Intimidated by the fact that I was attacking Senna? No why ? I considered him my idol for a long time, back when I was just a little F3 driver. It still impresses me today. But I have to try to beat him. F1 is above all a sport of opportunity, everyone can seize their owne. "

Ken Tyrrell was hardly surprised by his colt's temperament. “What do I think of Jean’s maneuver? We were never able to teach Jean to fly 90%. He only knows how to do it 100%! » An observation whose truth Jean Alesi will strive to demonstrate throughout his career.

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