Alesi new boss Circuit Paul Ricard: 'Good to be back'

"This is something I am very happy about because working for Paul Ricard will be fun and interesting for me," explained Alesi. "Let's not forget that this is the most modern and best-served circuit in France, in terms of infrastructure and hotels. And then there is another romantic aspect that I simply cannot ignore: the fact that I made my F1 debut here with Tyrrell in 1989."

Alesi's debut at Tyrrell was certainly a standout race. It was the seventh race of the season, and Alesi replaced Michele Arboreto because Tyrrell had taken on cigarette brand Camel as its new sponsor while Arboreto was sponsored by cigarette brand Marlboro. Arboreto refused to terminate his contract with Marlboro, after which Tyrrell kicked him out. Alesi finished the race on an impressive fifth place and eventually finished ninth that season, despite the Frenchman only crossing the finish line five times.

'Some stories have a circular path'

In the following years, Alesi became a household name in Formula 1. After a move to Ferrari and later Renault, the Frenchman was able to regularly compete at the front in the 1990s, although he never finished higher than fourth place. After a couple of disappointing seasons, he ended his Formula 1 career in 2001 and decided to focus on other championships.

"I like to think that certain stories have a harmonious and almost circular path," Alesi said. "So here I am, thirty-four years later, back at Le Caselle and still fighting to try to achieve positive results that are certainly not easy or obvious. All this is very nice and I can say, both today and then, that I will really do everything to get the best result."

Formula 1 will not return to the circuit in 2023. The French Grand Prix is one of the races that will not be back on the calendar this year. So the challenge for Alesi is to get the king class back at his circuit. The race was still held in 2022; Max Verstappen managed to take the win then.