Formula One Features — October 2001

It is a little known fact that the winner of the first major motor race to use the title "Grand Prix" was a Hungarian, although in 1873, when Ferenc Szisz was born, Hungary was part of the vast Hapsburg Empire although by then it was virtually autonomous from Vienna thanks to the efforts of politician Ferenc Deak after whom Szisz was probably named.

When Alain Prost finally retired from racing at the end of 1993, F1 insiders rocked on their heels and took a deep breath. 51 Grand Prix victories. Surely nobody can match that?

The last couple of years have been rather confusing for F1 fans - at least when it comes to the politics of the sport. Once upon a time there was a team's organization called FOCA and the international automobile federation (FIA) but in recent years there have been all manner of other people involved.

Traction Control is permitted in Formula 1 now and it looks as if it is here to stay. Just about all the dire predictions about it ruining the sport have proved unfounded, but the prediction that it would stop all the carping about cheating and unfair advantages has turned out to be absolutely spot-on.

So Jean Alesi is retiring after a career stretching back 12 years, 200 Grands Prix and only one victory. At 37 the Frenchman from Sicilian parentage has this year been the senior citizen of Grand Prix racing and he has lost none of his pace.

No, I'm not joking this time. And yes, I'll admit that it doesn't happen very often. In fact, the last time I can recall a genuine three-way battle for the World Championship was in 1986 when Williams-Honda, Lotus-Renault and McLaren-TAG were all in with a genuine chance of glory almost to the end of the year.