Ferrari icon Jean Alesi rejects comparisons to Charles Leclerc’s Scuderia struggles. Why Jean Alesi disagrees with comparisons to Charles Leclerc.

Alesi: “The comparison between me and Leclerc doesn’t hold up”

The former French driver rejected a light-hearted provocation from veteran journalist Leo Turrini.

A life dedicated to Ferrari without a world title

After spending two seasons with Tyrrell between 1989 and 1990, Jean Alesi emerged as one of the most highly rated young talents in Formula 1. Williams had managed to secure his signature for the 1991 season, but delays in officially finalizing the agreement allowed Ferrari to step in and snatch him away from Sir Frank Williams.

It was far from a cheap move, as the Maranello team reportedly paid 4 million dollars to complete the deal. Over the years, however, Jean Alesi became one of the most beloved drivers ever to race for Ferrari.

Although hugely popular among the tifosi, success on track was harder to come by. Alesi managed just one victory in five seasons with Ferrari, largely because the Scuderia was nowhere near the level of competitiveness enjoyed by McLaren, Williams and Benetton, the teams that dominated Formula 1 and shared the world championships during that era.

Now in his seventh season with Ferrari, Charles Leclerc has collected only eight Grand Prix victories and has never genuinely challenged for a world title. For that reason, and especially following his latest contract renewal, many observers have drawn comparisons between the Monegasque driver and Jean Alesi.

Is Leclerc the new Alesi? Jean responds

Speaking to Quotidiano Sportivo, Leo Turrini put that very question to Jean Alesi, who had no hesitation in rejecting the comparison.

“No, not at all, the comparison doesn’t hold up. I admit there is one similarity between us. I arrived at Maranello during a period of technical crisis. In fact, my great friend Michael – a giant of the sport – didn’t win immediately either! Leclerc has experienced a similar situation.”

Jean Alesi is convinced that the difficult spell Charles Leclerc has endured over the last three Grands Prix will soon come to an end: “Absolutely! He doesn’t have to prove anything. He is a top driver and he has already demonstrated that.”

The Frenchman also dismissed any suggestion that Leclerc’s recent struggles could be linked to the strong performances shown by Lewis Hamilton: “Not at all,” the former Ferrari driver exclaimed confidently.

Jean Alesi contested 79 Grands Prix for Ferrari, recording a single victory at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. He also achieved 16 podium finishes and twice ended the season fifth in the Drivers’ Championship, which remained his best final championship result with the Scuderia.