Alesi to Sauber

The following is the official press release from September, 15 afternoon: Red Bull-Sauber-Petronas signs Jean Alesi Team Red Bull-Sauber-Petronas and Jean Alesi agreed on their co-operation for the next two seasons. The 33-year-old Frenchman, ...

The following is the official press release from September, 15 afternoon:

Red Bull-Sauber-Petronas signs Jean Alesi

Team Red Bull-Sauber-Petronas and Jean Alesi agreed on their co-operation for the next two seasons. The 33-year-old Frenchman, pole-setter at the Italian Grand Prix and currently ranking third in the World Championship, will become Johnny Herbert's new teammate from the beginning of the 1998 season.

"We are delighted that we could sign Jean Alesi who has been one of the top drivers in Formula One for years", comments team principal Peter Sauber. "During the course of this year we have already been able to stengthen our team considerably on the technical side as well as building up our staff. Signing Jean Alesi will further strengthen our driving force in order to reach our ambitious goal. In our talks Jean Alesi has shown the kind of motivation and commitment required for success in Formula One. I am convinced that with Johnny Herbert and Jean Alesi we will have a very strong driver pairing in the coming season."

"I am very much looking forward to working with Peter Sauber and his team", says Jean Alesi. "I was not the only one to be positively surprised by Red Bull-Sauber-Petronas this season. The team has the potential to join the top teams in Formula One in the near future. I would like to contribute my share of expirience wich I was able to gain driving for Ferrari and Benetton. I have been really impressed by the factory at Hinwil and the way the people there are working hard to get results. The fact that there has always been a very good atmosphere at Team Red Bull-Sauber-Petronas has further helped my decision."