Alain Prost is not happy, and he says so.
A few hours after his departure from Alpine, the former non-executive director (since 2019) of the French team returned in an interview with the Team on what prompted him to take this new turn.
The quadruple world champion, 66, explains the circumstances of this departure and denounces the behavior of Laurent Rossi, the boss of Alpine.
Alain Prost's message to @AlpineF1Team pic.twitter.com/jfwhNhSSyd
— Charles Leclerc (@CharlesLecz) January 17, 2022
Following in the footsteps of Renault F1, Alpine concluded its first F1 season with a rather satisfactory track record (5th place in the constructors' standings, success for Esteban Ocon in Hungary). In the pits, it was not the same for the “Professor”: “The season was very disturbing for me insofar as I felt that the old ones had to leave. I was no longer involved in the decisions, sometimes I didn't share them, not even at all, but I had to continue to convey the official word. »
The French F1 legend then goes even further: “Even as a member of the board of directors, I discovered certain decisions at the last minute. One may not be listened to, but at least be warned in time. It's a question of respect. Relations became more and more complicated, I felt that there was a lot of jealousy (...) I have nothing against change, but what I don't appreciate is the lack of respect to people. What I love is people.”
The former Renault ambassador and consultant since his return to F1 in 2015 is essentially angry with Laurent Rossi, the boss of Alpine:
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His desire is to be alone, not to be polluted by anyone, explains Prost in everyday life. He also told me himself that he no longer needed to advise. It was in Qatar, but he still offered me a contract in Abu Dhabi, which I refused. It must be said, however, that it was a project in which I believed and I still believe, an ambitious project which has restored incredible motivation at the level of the group. But now, there is a real desire to put a lot of people on the sidelines. Laurent Rossi wants all the light. »
Last week, Marcin Budkowski, the executive director, also left Alpine.
Nothing has been decided yet, but it is the former general manager of Aston Martin, Otmar Szafnauer, who should replace him.
The 2022 season will start on March 20 with the Bahrain Grand Prix, on the Sakhir circuit.