Prost Grand Prix
Prost Grand Prix is a former French Formula 1 team (1997-2001), which was named after its majority owner Alain Prost. The four-time Formula 1 world champion had the French tradition Ligier team acquired in 1996 and baptized in his own name. Prost managed his team itself
Team History
When Alain Prost 1996, the Ligier team took over, the planning for the 1997 season had already been completed. The new chassis was tuned to the JS45 Mugen- Honda engine, brought to the new tire supplier Bridgestone on board, sponsorship contracts ran on. More sad, it seems in retrospect that this transition year '97 should be the best season in the history of Prost racing team. A beginning of the season magnificently DOMICILED Olivier Panis shocked the favored competition again and again: he was third in Brazil, Spain Second - as far forward the French troops had no one expected. A solid chassis and superior in heat Bridgestone tires washed the blue race car when conditions are favorable to the front. Before the Grand Prix of Canada Panis was surprising third in the championship standings, but broke off the race in an accident unhappy legs. Young talent Jarno Trulli of Minardi was committed as a substitute and proved most convincing: In Austria, he led 37 laps unmoved until the engine in the rear of his Prost gave up the ghost. At the Nürburgring Panis made his comeback and finished sixth, but could not build on his old form. Pay driver Shinji Nakano was indebted to his cockpit only the Japanese motor supplier.
For the 1998 season, Alain Prost Peugeot eiste going as an engine supplier of Jordan - with the firm objective of becoming Prost Grand Prix in a purely French team and establish. In Olivier Panis and Jarno Trulli he seemed to have also committed to a powerful driver duo. But it was different. For 1998, the FIA had adopted some comprehensive rule changes that were preparing financially weaker teams problems. So grooved tires were introduced, throttled the engines and the track of the cars of two meters reduced to 1.80. Prost did not have a competitive car at the start and would not have failed in Belgium at the start so many cars, would not have been a single point on the account at the end of the season.
In 1999, it ran much better. Although Trulli managed the chaotic European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, a second place, but a total of the expectations are not appropriate season could not hide. Prost drove continue only in the back of the midfield. Trulli joined with the hope of better results to Jordan and Panis ' contract was not renewed. Thus Prost was in 2000 a new beginning, where he sat on the experience of Jean Alesi and the youthful hunger for success of freshly baked Formula 3000 champion Nick Heidfeld.
However, what many had already suspected, was a certainty: It was not the drivers. The 2000 season was the temporary low point in the history of the Prost team. Zero points and the last place in the Constructors' Championship, still behind the notorious Hinterbänklerteam Minardi, presented a devastating balance dar. Peugeot opted for persistent failure to withdraw from Formula 1, Prost fought for his team. For 2001, he was certainly an advantage without an engine, and also without financially strong sponsors. His compatriot and friend, Ferrari team boss Jean Todt, Prost reached under her arms and offered him engines to a special rate. Cheers to handle and could sponsor Acer persuaded to pay the engines.
With their backs to the wall, the team was, after all, again push forward into midfield. Alesis experience paid off at last and the Frenchman won in Monaco, Canada and Germany four important points. From the second driver, however, little was to be expected: Neither Gastón Mazzacane nor Luciano Burti or Tomáš Enge met the expectations of Formula 1 racing. The middle of 2001 came Prost and his driver Alesi increasingly to each other, because the team boss demanded more commitment. Alesi countered with allegations of faulty management Prost. When Jordan its pilot Heinz -Harald Frentzen dismissed, Alesi took the opportunity and joined the Irish- British team. In return, Prost Frentzen took them under contract. Also, who could pluck no more trees, but achieved at least a moderate success: the Grand Prix of Belgium, he qualified for a sensational start in fourth place. In the race he had against the overwhelming competition but no chance and was knocked off ninth.
After the last race was already suspecting that it would not go on with Prost Grand Prix, as neither driver was committed for next season, even an engine contract or similar was available. On 22 December 2001 had to file for bankruptcy Prost Grand Prix. Rumors of a takeover by the investor Charles J. Nickerson appeared, the (later Dart Grand Prix), the team under the name of Phoenix Finance wanted to bring back to the start.