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A French Canadian

May 21, 2015 by Jeremy McMullen

A French CanadianThere was hardly a more popular driver up and down the Formula One pit lane, as well as with those occupying the grandstands, than France's Jean Alesi. Once fancied to be a World Champion in the making, the ever-fighting, hard-charging driver had failed to achieve even a single victory. But then came the Canadian Grand Prix.

Jean Alesi had joined Scuderia Ferrari in 1991 and took over as the face of the team after Alain Prost's sacking. Alesi was ideal for the role. The Frenchman was not a World Champion, but he certainly fought like one out on the circuit and the Tifosi absolutely loved a fighter. But still, he was without a victory, and this would not do for the most famous name in motor racing.

It was an ideal partnership in more than one way. Not only was Alesi's driving style in the same vein as Gilles Villeneuve, a man that Enzo Ferrari absolutely adored, but, he had joined a team struggling in a downward spiral.

In many respects Prost was right. It was how he went about it that would end up costing him his job. Ferrari was struggling to be competitive. Alesi had never scored a victory in Formula One. Ferrari, and its passionate fan base, would look to and would lean up Alesi. His driving style offered everyone hope. As for Jean, it was Ferrari. It was the most famous mark in Formula One. Yes, the scuderia was struggling, but it was always an honor to drive for the outfit from Maranello. What's more, Ferrari always had a knack for pulling out a victory here and there during its trying times in order to offer everyone hope. Alesi would be unaware of just such a moment coming around for him.

The first five rounds of the 1995 season had gone pretty much according to script. Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and David Coulthard fought it out for pole-position. Then, when it came to race winds, Schumacher was sitting on three while Hill had two to his credit. These were the expected contenders for the two championship titles. Ferrari, on the other hand, appeared stronger, but still seemed to be a adrift of its competition.

The year before, Ferrari would debut its 412T. The Scuderia had already been struggling, and, over the course of the 1994, the 412T, while mildly successful, would prove rather stagnant in Ferrari's attempt to close the competitive gap to Williams and Benetton. Heading in the wrong direction, or no direction, usually meant getting drastic and changing a number of things. The car had been changed over the course of the 1994 season already. It was painfully obvious the course needed to be reversed. But the question was whether or not it needed to be a drastic reversal or not.

The 412T2 would be unveiled for the 1995 season and it was clear those at Ferrari believed steady progress was the best direction to take. Therefore, the overall shape of the car would be similar to its predecessor, but it was clear there were some updates and changes. Through the first few races of the season the changes had proven to be a turn in the right direction. This would be evidenced by Gerhard Berger's fastest lap in the San Marino Grand Prix and then Alesi's fastest lap in the Monaco Grand Prix. Two different circuits and the Ferrari proved quick at both. This was certainly a good sign. However, the cars were by no means on par with those from Williams and Benetton, but at least the Scuderia appeared headed in the right direction.

Nobody could keep pace with the Benetton of Schumacher, let alone the 412s of Berger and Alesi. Posting his fastest lap time in the first session of qualifying, Michael would be the only driver able to dip into the 1:27s. Damon Hill would be quick but would struggle with his Williams-Renault. His best effort would be three-tenths of a second slower than Schumacher. Still, he would end up on the front row of the grid. Gerhard Berger would prove the quicker of the Ferrari teammates. His best performance would be half a second slower than Schumacher but it would still give him a spot on the second row of the grid beside the other Williams of David Coulthard.


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Jean Alesi would be quick, but he would find himself a fair bit slower around the 2.76 mile circuit than Berger. Nearly three-tenths slower, Alesi would find himself on the third row of the grid in the 5th position overall.

Conditions could not have been more perfect for a motor race. Sunny skies shone down upon the circuit, the temperatures rose to about 75 degrees and there would be little to no wind, a surprising fact for a circuit situated right in the heart of the St. Lawrence River.

Though flat all around, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was certainly located amidst a picturesque setting. This made the circuit a favorite with drivers and spectators. Traditionally a quick circuit, the course would be slower for 1994 in the wake of the terrible deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. Even still, the circuit would be quick and offered the Ferrari drivers some hope given the powerful Tipo 044 3.0-liter V12 powering the car.

Heading into the race, hardly anybody recognized the consistency with which Alesi had been driving. Though he didn't have the fastest car out on the circuit he would be inside the top five of the Drivers' Championship standings as a result of two second place finishes in the Argentine and San Marino grand prix. Set back by a couple of retirements, Jean looked to Montreal as an opportunity to get his season back on track. Even the Tifosi in the stands had no inclination of just how wonderful of a day it would be.

A total of 24 cars would take to the grid for the start of the Canadian Grand Prix on the 11th of June. As usual, a large crowd arrived to witness the 33rd edition of the race. There would be a good deal of excitement as the cars took their places. Only five points separated Schumacher and Hill. But then there was the supporting cast, surely capable of providing a surprise or two. The two Ferraris were looking stronger. There were also the two Jordans that qualified high up in the order. Certainly Schumacher had to be the favorite, but many, including all of the Jean Alesi fans, held out hope the Frenchman's birthday would offer a surprise of unfathomable proportions.

Despite an earlier shower, the sun would be beginning to peek down upon the damp circuit as the cars awaited the green lights. The lights would go green and immediately Schumacher would chop across the front of Hill's Williams to prevent his challenging for the lead. Just behind, Alesi would use turn two to his advantage moving up behind his teammate who was running behind Coulthard in third place.

Michael would already begin to open up a margin over Hill without the first lap having been completed. Meanwhile, Mika Hakkinen made a mistake and dove down to the inside of Johnny Herbert in the hairpin in an attempt to take sixth. Mika would end up spearing the Benetton right in the side taking out both in a little more than two miles.

Schumacher would easily lead the first lap over Hill while Alesi sized up his teammate. Halfway through the second lap Coulthard would hit a bump that would upset the car. The Scotsman would be unable to correct and would end up throwing himself into the gravel trap. Lost in the dust of Coulthard's error would be the fact Alesi took over the position from Berger. And, with the second Williams out of the picture, Alesi was now in third place. The two Ferraris moved up without a fight, but they were already a long distance behind the Benetton in the lead and vanishing from sight.

Lapping nearly a second per lap quicker than Hill, the German continued pulling away into the distance. Damon struggled within his Williams and would very quickly find himself being pulled back into the clutches of Alesi.

Alesi would have everything possible working in his favor. Not only was he racing at a circuit named for Gilles Villeneuve, but his car was wearing the number '27' Villeneuve made famous on a Ferrari. But there was more to it than just this. It was Alesi's birthday. Clearly inspired by the opportunity before him, Jean would set an early fastest lap time drawing the Williams in closer and closer.

A one stop strategy appeared the way to go among the top teams. As fast as he was going it appeared as though Michael didn't need to stop. His pace was such it appeared he could back right off and nurse what was left in the tanks and still take the victory. Damon Hill, on the other hand, would fight tooth and nail just to get the best of the Williams. He needed everything the car could offer.

Alesi would take advantage of Hill's situation and had worked and worked. Eventually, Jean would reel in Hill coming to the hairpin. Alesi would make his move. Cheered on by an awakened Tifosi, Jean would leave Hill no option. He would take over second. Flags would be waving and the crowd roaring. The spirit of Villeneuve emerged.

Following the pitstops, Hill would find out his Williams was tired of being asked to give everything. He had made it through the stop but then a hydraulic failure was preventing the gearbox from operating properly. Damon had asked everything and it was over.

In Alesi's case, the race was just beginning. The crowd was awake and willing the Frenchman forward. It was incredible. After two second place finishes, it was obvious the 412T2 was much better than previous models. Still, with Schumacher far off in the distance, Alesi's gap to victory was still far and wide.

Alesi would be free to chase Michael. Having run out of fuel on his in lap, Berger would be well back. In fact, the Jordans would be running well with Barichello on target for a podium finish. Therefore, there would be an eclectic group all chasing after the German in the Benetton.

Even though he would take over second, Alesi would find Schumacher's lead insurmountable. Michael controlled the pace and continued to lap back-markers with great ease. It was more than obvious Schumacher was well in control, just cruising along, circulating until seeing the checkered flag. There was really nothing the Frenchman could do. He needed help if Schumacher's run to the flag was to be hindered in any way.

Without the ability to effect change, providence would have to step in. Just eleven laps from the end, a phantom issue would suddenly catch up to Schumacher's Benetton causing it to slow suddenly. The victory had been all but ensured. Spectators had undoubtedly began heading home.

The Tifosi never gave up hope and would be absolutely beside itself with euphoria as Alesi would sweep by into the lead of the race. It was beyond incredible. After more than 90 races, Alesi was in the lead and within rather easy reach of the victory.

Alesi had undoubtedly dreamed of this moment his entire motor racing career, and now, he just had to overcome the last few laps, and his nerves, to grab that first elusive victory, an achievement that had managed to elude him for more than five years.

Schumacher would have a new steering wheel fitted and would be flying in an attempt to regain some of what he had lost, but it was painfully obvious…the victory was gone. Amazingly, after so many attempts and times of coming up short, after so many battles with the likes of none other than Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and so many others, it was within the grasp of Jean Alesi. He would just need to complete one last lap and it would be his. The crowd would give an almighty roar as the scarlet car headed around on its final lap, it was going to be a very special moment if he could hang on.

Jean wasn't about to let it slip through his fingers. Coming through the chicane for the final time, Alesi could barely contain himself, right along with the crowd. Crossing the line with his hands waving and pumping in the air he would, in one moment, give all who held Maranello dear in their hearts a reason to believe.

It would be an absolutely beautiful, and very dangerous sight. Alesi would be unable to contain his joy and the grandstands would be unable to contain the spectators as they streamed onto the track. When it was all said and done, the race would end up just 68 laps as many of the cars would have to stop before crossing the line for fear of hitting the thousands of fans that had spilled onto the circuit in celebration of a Ferrari victory.

It was more than evident, even though his face was hidden by his helmet, the victory was not something Alesi had fully come to grips with, as of that moment. Coming to a stop out on circuit, Alesi would step from his car right at the hairpin and would acknowledge the crowd that had hung with him year after year. Fittingly, the man that had given him the chance at victory would stop and pick him up for a deserving ride back to the pits and the top step of the podium.

A sea of people would surround the podium waiting to give their hero a welcome he truly deserved. Flanked by the two Jordan drivers, Alesi enjoyed every single moment of his first victory in Formula One. Washed in the national anthems of France and Italy, the day had become Jean Alesi's. From that moment on, and throughout the remainder of his Formula One career, Canada would hold a special place in his heart. He would become, on that day, a true French Canadian.

Sources:
'Grand Prix Results: Canadian GP, 1995', (http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr570.html). GrandPrix.com. http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr570.html. Retrieved 15 May 2015.

'Canada 1995', (http://www.statsf1.com/en/1995/canada.aspx). Stats F1. http://www.statsf1.com/en/1995/canada.aspx. Retrieved 15 May 2015.

F1-Canada 1995-Race-Part 2. Video. (1995). Retrieved 15 May 2015 from http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x109u5u_f1-canada-1995-race-part-2_sport.

Wikipedia contributors, '1995 Canadian Grand Prix', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 25 December 2014, 12:01 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1995_Canadian_Grand_Prix&oldid=639577690 accessed 15 May 2015

Wikipedia contributors, '1995 Formula One season', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 May 2015, 13:23 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1995_Formula_One_season&oldid=660585199 accessed 15 May 2015

Wikipedia contributors, 'Ferrari 412 T2', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 6 January 2015, 06:21 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferrari_412_T2&oldid=641198971 accessed 15 May 2015

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