Prost regrets Renault's progressive abandonment in F1

Alain Prost has said he is very saddened by France's progressive abandonment of Formula 1. Last month, the four-time world champion said he was frustrated because he doesn't see interest from his country in bringing the Grand Prix back to France. In addition to missing a Grand Prix on French soil, there are no drivers from beyond the Alps on the grid either.

Prost was not happy with Renault's choice to withdraw from the official commitment, selling the Enstone team to Lotus and remaining in the Circus only as an engine supplier in 2011.

“The point is that in France we have reached rock bottom.” He said the former driver, whose team he founded at Guyencourt went bankrupt ten years ago. “We need to be optimistic because at this point we can only recover. Maybe decisions and measures will be taken to return to normality, and who knows, maybe we will arrive at a better situation than in the past” he declared to Auto Hebdo.

“But at the moment it's very difficult because my country has become a bit auto-phobic” continued Prost. “Companies and brands have no interest in investing in F1. As long as there isn't a race in France it's understandable, but the fact that there are no French riders on the grid is a big gap to fill. It is the drivers who bring people's interest towards this sport"

Prost explains that his greatest regret is due to the fact that the situation is slowly worsening, but no one seems to notice. "For me it's not a surprise, but it seems inevitable."

He closes with a regretful look at Renault: “Renault is part of the history and heritage of this sport, now that we've lost it, going back will be difficult. Being an engine supplier is a good thing, but I think doing it by degrading yourself from a team to a supplier is a shame. But I understand the need to make ends meet.”

“French motor sport is going to ruin.”

Gian Maria Di Stefano