Alain Prost: “France needs to have its Grand Prix”

Formula 1 is currently experiencing a turning point in its history, whether it is from a monetary, technical, or even security standpoint; F1 is changing and all enthusiasts have a different view of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) which dictates the changes. Alain Prost, one of the biggest names in the sport, more or less approves of this metamorphosis.

The 53-year-old Frenchman conducted an interview on Friday as part of a sponsorship with Caisse d’Epargne. He notably comments on the future of the French Grand Prix, which has been called into question several times recently, as well as the future of F1.

Three projects were favorites to host the new 2011 French GP. Alain Prost supported the Val d’Europe project, which was to be held at Disneyland Paris. The project will ultimately never see the light of day: « It was politically and financially very difficult. There was no common will, so no solution. »

However, there are still two projects in competition, although not assisted by the State, those of Yvelines and Val d’Oise. Even though he is not participating, Prost supports the return of France to the calendar: « Everyone has to play their part. For now, things are going quite well. Bernie Ecclestone also needs to give his green light and decide if it’s the right place. It’s a bit complicated. The wish of the manufacturers and Bernie Ecclestone, in any case, is to settle around Paris. »

« I think France needs an event of this international scale, on a new site. Formula 1 also needs historic Grand Prix races in Europe because the major manufacturers, apart from the Japanese, are European. And it is very important for them to continue these historic Grand Prix races, of which France is a part. »

« This represents costs, but I think we’re okay on that front. There’s a lot of talk about costs, but not about the benefits. It’s often like this in France. Depending on the number of spectators and the type of events you create, it still represents between 30 and 60 million euros per year. We should think ahead a bit more, » continues Senna’s former teammate at McLaren-Honda.

According to Prost, French mentalities are not favorable to car racing: « The real problem is there. […] We don’t have enough people who are ready to be supportive. But I think this can change in the coming months and years. The automotive industry represents 10% of French jobs. There are problems to solve, but at the same time we must continue to prioritize something we really need. Both for the industry in general and for the average person who travels by car every day. Motorsport also serves that purpose. »

Finally, regarding the upcoming season, the regulations are unlikely to rebalance the rankings. Prost even thinks the opposite: « With the change in regulations, it’s going to be very different. There may be surprises. The problem is that the teams can’t test, or very little. There will be a lot of things in simulation. This will favor the big teams, that’s for sure. We’ll still have McLaren, Ferrari, and Renault in front. »

Regarding cost reduction, a new explicit policy from the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone, the ‘Professor,’ as he was nicknamed, sees great interest but does not want F1 to be the same for all manufacturers: « In F1, there is the same problem for everyone: continuing with reduced budgets. The manufacturers and teams had gone too far. I had never known F1 with such a lavish use of resources as in the past ten years. »

« I am against the single engine. Formula 1 must remain the showcase for manufacturers. The cars can be similar, but they must be different because the manufacturers have to show that they are the best. But no one is actually in favor of the single engine. The FIA provoked the teams to accept certain changes… »

Alain Prost is a four-time Formula 1 world champion with McLaren and Williams-Renault. The Frenchman even created his own Formula 1 team in 1997, Prost Grand Prix, with the story ending in 2002 for financial reasons… already.