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He was more spectacular than even Ayrton Senna on his day.
On the three occasions when I saw the two of them racing at the sharp end of the field, Michele was by far the more flamboyant behind the wheel. Perhaps Senna was quicker, but for me the memories will be of the red Ferrari 156/85 plunging down Brands' Paddock Hill Bend, becoming squirrelly under the camber, before it bottomed out, and then - only then, did Michele use the unsettling of the grounded car to snap it back into line, under power all the way, for the following straight.
That was qualifying, the Michele Alboreto way.
He had a chance at that 1985 championship, and it is a perpetual cruelty of our sport that the "nearly" champions are not appreciated for the wins they scored, the points they earned.
Thank you for the memories, Michele Alboreto. I will cherish them always.
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