Yesterday Motorsport.com unveiled Alain Prost’s farewell to Alpine, a team he had been a consultant for since 2015.
After 7 years together, the paths of the Enstone-based team and the 4-time Formula 1 world champion have separated. Alpine is in the midst of a structural revolution in its organization chart and, initially, Prost’s farewell was thought to be part of this restructuring.
A few hours later, however, Alain Prost wanted to clarify the situation and what had happened better. Through a short post on his official Instagram page, the French champion explained the reasons for his farewell to Alpine.
In reality, the team leaders had presented an offer to Prost for the 2022 season, considering that the contract of the former Ferrari and Williams driver was valid for one year.
This had arrived in Abu Dhabi, the last act of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship. The parties had met, but without finding an agreement. According to Prost, it was he who refused the renewal of the contract with Alpine, also revealing the reasons that led to a separation that, a few hours ago, made a lot of noise.
“I am really sorry that the news of my goodbye to Alpine arrived today (yesterday, ed)! I agreed that we would announce everything together with Alpine! There was no respect and I’m sorry!”, Wrote Prost.
“I turned down the offer they made me in Abu Dhabi for the 2022 season due to personal relationships and I was right! To the Enstone and Viry teams, I will miss you.”
Prost also released statements to L’Equipe, explaining what has changed from 2020 to today and what prompted him to leave the team.
“In September 2020, when Cyril Abiteboul was still there, Luca (de Meo) offered me the position of Alpine F1 president. Based on this principle, I accepted. Marcin Bodkowski was supposed to become the team boss, and Cyril would have managed the brand. We talked about it again in December, but in January 2021, Laurent Rossi was appointed. I then continued in my previous role – non-executive director and advisor to the president. “
“But going back to why I left, the 2021 season was very disturbing for me, because I felt that anyone who has been here for a long time had to leave. I accept the change, because you don’t always have to do F1 the same way. It can be done differently, and that’s what has been done for the whole of last year. “
“But for me, it got too complicated. I was no longer involved in the decision making process, sometimes I disagreed – completely – but I had to keep relaying the official word. Even as a board member, I discovered some decisions at the last minute. Maybe I’m not being listened to, but I should at least be informed in time. It’s a matter of respect. Relationships have become more and more complicated, I felt a lot of jealousy. “
“Laurent Rossi wants to be alone, not to be bothered by anyone. He actually told me himself that he no longer needs a counselor. He was in Qatar, but he still offered me a contract in Abu Dhabi, which I turned down. I have to. yet to say that I believed – and still do – in this ambitious project that has incredibly increased the motivation in the group “.
“However, now there is a real push to put a lot of people aside. Laurent Rossi wants all the spotlight. What interests me is the challenge of being in a team, being listened to and involved in some decisions. on the sidelines on purpose, but I have had a fair amount of influence despite all the disagreements I have kept to myself. “
In short, not a choice of Alpine, but of Prost himself. Yet no less stormy for this. The relationship with Laurent Rossi was worn out, it was impossible for Alain to continue his adventure with Alpine, having to deal with a person who refuses advice.
In the meantime, after the farewells of Marcin Budkowski and Alain Prost, the arrival of Otmar Szafnauer, recently exited from Aston Martin Racing, is expected to marry the Enstone team and continue the reconstruction of a team that, in the medium-long term, it seems to have much higher ambitions than it currently does.
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