Alain Prost, who recently departed from his role as Alpine's non-executive director, said that relations with Laurent Rossi just became more difficult.
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Former four-time Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost has not held back in his scathing criticism of Alpine F1 team’s CEO Laurent Rossi.
Prost, who recently departed from his role as Alpine’s non-executive director, said that relations with Rossi just became more difficult.
“When the team boss doesn’t even say hello to you when you arrive at the circuit, it’s because there’s no more pleasantry. There isn’t even any more respect,” the 66-year-old told L’Equipe.
“I was no longer involved in the decisions. Sometimes I did not agree with them, not at all, but I had to carry the official word.
“Even as a member of the board of directors, I discovered some decisions at the last minute. Sure, don’t listen, but at least we should be told. That’s just a matter of respect.
“I’m more interested in teamwork so I voluntarily stayed in the background, even though I had a lot of influence in a discreet way – despite the many disagreements, which I kept to myself.
“Relations just became more and more difficult. I felt that there was a lot of jealousy,” he added.
Prost’s tirade did not end there. He then went on to reveal how he was told by Rossi that a consultant was no longer needed at Alpine.
Prost went on to add that he was still offered a contract anyway but he decided to turn it down.
“He wants to make decisions on his own and not be disturbed by others,” he said. “He told me himself that he no longer needs a consultant. That was in Qatar.
“He then offered me a contract anyway in Abu Dhabi and I turned it down.”
It is hardly the kind of spotlight Alpine would have wanted ahead of the new season. The Renault works team had a mixed season in 2021.
Despite Esteban Ocon winning the Hungarian GP and Fernando Alonso finishing third in Qatar, consistency was lacking in the side.
In the end, they finished a middling fifth in the constructor’s title ahead of AlphaTauri. The Red Bull sister team arguably had a faster car; they struggled for points due to debutant Yuki Tsunoda hacing a difficult season.
For his part, Alain Prost also revealed he had no personal animosity towards the team. But he did not like the way he and others were ruthlessly sidelined.
“I still believe in the project. But now there is a desire to put some people on the sidelines,” he said.
