Prost expects a quick response for the 2013 French Grand Prix

At the beginning of the week, we learned from RMC Sport that Alain Prost had decided to support the project of a French Grand Prix to be held as early as 2013 at Le Castellet. While the Monegasque radio station claimed that the four-time French world champion could eventually become the promoter of the Grand Prix—should it materialize—Alain Prost took advantage of his appearance on the show Dimanche F1, broadcast on Eurosport, to clarify his exact position: « I am not at all the ambassador of the French Grand Prix, nor will I be the promoter. I am here as an advisor. It just so happened that it had been planned for a long time that I would come to Abu Dhabi as part of my duties as an ambassador with Renault, and it was an opportunity to discuss the subject again with Bernie Ecclestone. »

If he refutes the figures and potential investors that may have been mentioned here and there, Alain Prost considers, however, that France now fosters much more serene and much more positive discussions with Bernie than in the past. The Frenchman, who spoke with the Briton, therefore believes there is a possible window depending on the scheduling problems of other circuits, naturally referencing the postponement of the Grand Prix of America to 2014: Of course, [there is] also the fact that everyone wants to have a French Grand Prix again and that there will be a new engine regulation starting from 2014, which will give a very different image to Formula 1, positively so, as we will have absolutely incredible technology, much closer to what series production cars will have in the future, so we need this additional tool. And Prost adds, as a plea: When we see that Renault, which has just secured its 151st victory in Formula 1 today, is going to equip at least four teams in the future, I think it’s indispensable.

However, while remaining optimistic, the former director of the team tempers expectations: « It’s really a very open discussion, but we must stop wanting to talk without [knowing] and throwing out figures that are irrelevant. Over the next two weeks, we will have continuous meetings, there’s already one on Tuesday, and then we’ll see what happens. Maybe in two weeks, I’ll tell you: « Well, we can’t do it, it’s not possible! ». When asked if we can expect a quick answer, Prost nods: « Yes, it will happen quickly, but we will be extremely reasonable and will only focus locally for now, there will be no political problem. »

While Bernie Ecclestone indicated in India that there would be fewer and fewer European Grand Prix, Alain Prost believes that the top category of motorsports should remain true to its roots: « I think Bernie was really very, very good a few years ago, in terms of having a much more international Formula 1. It’s true that there are countries, like the one we are in today [Abu Dhabi, ed.], which are capable of having much larger funding than Europe, but Europe will always remain the center of racing tradition and culture, and of Formula 1 in particular. […] Before these foreign countries have the same tradition, the same culture, it’s very different. Personally, I think it’s the right time to return to European Grand Prix which will have more stability, but only if we are reasonable in terms of costs and funding expenses. With what’s going to happen in Formula 1 in terms of technology, I think we’ll be very happy to have more Grand Prix in Europe. I’ve talked about it with quite a few team directors today, and I think everyone agrees. »