Alesi apologises to Fisichella

(27-Jul-98) - Jean Alesi apologised to Giancarlo Fisichella for the
incident that took both of them out of the Austrian Grand Prix -- but
refused to take any blame for the crash.

Fisichella and Alesi were battling for fourth place on lap 22 when they
collided at the Remus Corner after the Benetton driver tried to dive up the
inside of the Sauber.

"Giancarlo and I were running side by side, fighting for fourth place,
but I had a light fuel load and, as I braked for the corner, he just
disappeared behind me," explained Alesi. "As I turned into it he
slid into me and we both spun.

"Because of the long first gear, and the steep uphill graident in the
corner, the engine stalled when I tried to restart. I never like to have
accidents, but it's even worse when you have them with somebody that you
like. And I really like Giancarlo."

Alesi's team boss Peter Sauber added, "I think the incident that cost
Jean another likely finish in the points was Fisichella's fault."

--- Msged/386 4.20 beta 4