Final lap for Jean Alesi

Tokyom:

French Formula One driver Jean Alesi said today he will retire from racing after the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka this weekend. The 37-year-old Frenchman, who currently races for the Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda team, refused to elaborate on his future plans but ruled out F1 racing. Alesi started his Formula One career in 1989 with Tyrrell at the French Grand Prix. He signed with Ferrari in 1991 and drove for the Italian team until the end of 1995, taking his only Grand Prix win that year in Canada. With a career spanning a decade on the circuit, Alesi is the most experienced active F1 driver and has almost 200 Grand Prix race starts to his name.