Alesi: F1 seats are blocked by drivers managed by Vasseur and Wolff

Alesi's son Giuliano has raced in F2 for the past two years and got his first run in an F1 car last week at Fiorano, driving the 2018 Ferrari SF71H as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy test.

However, Alesi Jr is no longer part of the academy and will race in Japan in the Super Formula Lights series this season.

Looking at the way young drivers have to progress in order to make it into the pinnacle of motorsport, Alesi, who made 201 career starts in F1, said that you need to "pay, pay and pay".

"If you look at what's going on in our part of the world in Europe, nothing is a meritocracy," he said, as reported by F1i.

"All you need to do is pay, pay and pay. I think it's crazy, it's the only sport in the world where you need to pay to play. I think it's a lot fairer in Japan."

The driver academy system has become increasingly common in recent years and Alesi cited the need for young drivers to find the support of an F1 team.

"[Giuliano will] be racing almost every weekend, something that is no longer possible in Europe, unless one pays a lot of money," he added.

"Today, you need to be a billionaire to buy a Formula 1 team for your son, or you won't make it to F1. Many seats are blocked by drivers managed by Vasseur and Wolff.

"Fortunately there is Ferrari, which supplies engines to some F1 teams so they can also supply drivers.

"Mick Schumacher got his seat in Formula 1 also with his Formula 2 title, but without the support of Maranello it would not have been possible."