In 1993 Alain Prost – after a gap year – he won his fourth world title at the wheel of the very strong Williams Renault FW15C. At the third to last race in Estoril, the Frenchman announced his retirement from racing at the end of the season at the age of 38, leaving the wheel of the British car to his long-time rival, Ayrton Senna. Hanging up his helmet, Prost embarked on a career as a television commentator for the transalpine broadcaster TF1for which he commented live on the tragic 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
But the rumors about his possible return invaded the paddock from the very first months following his stop, and resulted in a test with the McLaren Peugeot MP4 / 9 as early as 1994 in Portugal, in Estoril. The French champion, who turns 67 today, was convinced, however, that it was not the case to break the agreement with Frank Williams – or to have his entire salary paid without running as ‘compensation’ for hiring Senna – to get entangled in a unsatisfied season in mid-table.
Also in the 1995 Prost – in the role of McLaren technical and sports consultant – brought the MP4 / 10 powered by Mercedes engines. The idea of a return was seriously considered by the ‘Professor’, who however asked Ron Dennis to join the team’s share package. Request rejected. But it was the 1996 the year in which Prost came really close to the sensational re-entry into the Circus. On November 10, 1995, Mika Hakkinen had a terrible accident in Adelaide, and McLaren – even if they wanted to wait for the Finn – started looking around for a possible replacement for the first races of the following season. Prost’s shadow lengthened even after Hakkinen returned to Melbourne ’96. As reported in an article de the Republic at the time, relating to the second Interlagos match of the season:
“[…] Back to racing Prost, 42, four-time world champion, who retired three years ago? Maybe, or maybe not. The problem is that they do not trust: the McLaren people, the federation doctors, the circuit doctors. They don’t trust Mika Hakkinen’s holding abilities. That […] he resumed, and in Melbourne he finished 5th. Are you all right then? Yes, until you arrive in Sao Paulo and you discover that the federation was quickly requested for a super license, that is the permission to drive in the race, for Alain Prost, who is a consultant, manager, test driver: everything, as long as in the shadow, for McLaren. Is Prost running on Sunday, then? No, not for now. […] Back in Melbourne, Hakkinen revealed that something is wrong. After the effort, test or competition, Mika has some difficulty speaking and above all complains of problems with his left eye, with a noticeable decrease in vision. […] Probably, McLaren will wait for today’s free practice to evaluate and then decide. Yesterday Prost arrived in Sao Paulo, showing himself – consummate lead actor – during Schumacher’s press conference and stealing the show from the German. “I have no intention of returning to racing in the GPs,” said Prost, and added: “The super license was not I who asked for it, but McLaren“. Then nothing else, he too waits for the track to decide. Unless it is late“.
In that race Hakkinen qualified seventh and finished fourth at the finish, always ahead of team mate David Coulthard. The return of Alain therefore faded and in 1997 the Frenchman left McLaren for good to assume the role of founder and team principal of the Prost Grand Prix.
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