OCTOBER 11, 2001

DC heads tributes to Alesi

WITH a party in his honor being planned in to the weekend's activities, we can expect many tributes to Jean Alesi in the coming days as he contests his 201st and final Grand Prix.

The French-Sicilian, who shot to prominence with the Tyrrell team in 1989 and 1990, then became the darling of the Tifosi when he raced aggressively and with his heart on his sleeve at Ferrari for five seasons - for a return of his single Grand Prix win at Canada in 1995.

Subsequently he moved to Benetton, Sauber and Prost without success and ends his top flight career in a five-race spell at Jordan where, somewhat rejuvenated, he has entertained and scored invaluable points for the team.

David Coulthard got in first with a good word for Alesi, saying: "I remember him coming up to me, at Imola 1995, and saying that I was the most incorrect driver he'd ever raced against! But Jean is very fair... he'll be missed."