Alain Prost will no longer be part of the Alpine F1 team in his old position of non-executive director, it was confirmed on Monday (January 17).
Follow Us
Formula 1 legend Alain Prost confirmed reports that he has left his advisory role in the Alpine F1 team. However, the four-time world champion has criticised the manner in which his exit was handled.
Prost was part of the French team as a non-executive director. A report on the official F1 website claimed the Renault works team opted against renewing his yearly deal with the side.
Prost, it is worth noting, has been part of the team in some capacity since 2017. He was in an advisory role for two years before being named non-executive director.
But, rather than Alpine turn down his services, it seems it was the other way round. Prost claimed in a post on his Instagram account that he turned down the chance to continue in the team.
“I am very disappointed how this news has been announced today,” Prost wrote. “It was agreed that we would announce together with @alpinef1team! No respect sorry!
“I have refused the offer made to me in Abu Dhabi for the 2022 season because of a personal relationship and I was right! To the Enstone and Viry team, I will miss you.”
As of now, it remains unclear if Alpine will bring in someone else for this particular role.
However, Prost is just the latest departure in what is turning into a summer of change for the French team.
The Renault team, which rebranded itself under the name of the parent company’s niche sports brand, had promised some degree of restructuring after their first year in F1.
Perhaps the biggest casualty in that regard was executive director and de facto team principal Marcin Budkowski. His departure brought about an end to Alpine’s confused leadership structure, of which he was the de facto head.
Team CEO Laurent Rossi is not yet done with the restructuring, however. And arguably the biggest piece of the puzzle is also reportedly set to join the team soon.
Reports claim Otmar Szafnauer, the former Aston Martin team principal, will be joining Alpine soon. And he will be bringing sponsor BWT along with him too.
BWT, it is worth noting, had sponsored the former Force India, Racing Point and even Aston Martin. And the infusion of cash will doubtless be useful for the French team going into the new season.
When Alpine will launch their new car remains unclear, but as of now only three teams have announced the date of their car launch.
