GP: USA
Date: 11 March 1990
Winner: Ayrton Senna - McLaren Honda
Two surprises. 29 year old Pierluigi Martini from Lugo di Romagna, Italy, who had been in Formula 1 since 1984, shocked everyone by securing his one and only front row start, putting his Minardi alongside poleman Gerhard Berger's McLaren.
In the race, things got complicated and he finished seventh.
26 year old Jean Alesi from Montfavet, a district of Avignon, France, a youngster proud of his Sicilian roots, was in his second season of F1. Starting from the second row in his Pirelli-shod Tyrrell, he produced a drive that put him firmly in the spotlight.
He took the lead on the opening lap and soon had Senna in the other McLaren chasing him down and the outcome seemed inevitable.
What followed was a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel. Ayrton eventually got ahead on lap 34, but Jean was not fazed and retook the lead with a brave move at the next corner, demonstrating he was no respecter of reputation.
On the next lap, as the pair came up to pass a backmarker, Jean had to give best, nevertheless going on to finish second and claim his first F1 podium.
Alesi's career could fill a book, a hugely popular but unlucky racer. He drove for Ferrari from 1991 to 1995, taking his one and only Grand Prix win in Canada in '95, from 201 starts. He has 32 podiums, two pole positions and four fastest race laps to his name.
A generous man, who loved the Prancing Horse, today he is seen as an example of an age when drivers conveyed humanity, enthusiasm and passion.
In 2025 Pirelli will hit the 500 F1® Grands Prix mark during the season.
Legacy of Speed series looks back at the fifty most significant Grands Prix from Pirelli's time on the F1 World Championship trail.
