After parting ways with Alpine, Alain Prost fires back at the Formula One team’s leadership, taking particular aim at CEO Laurent Rossi
After it was announced on Monday that Alain Prost would no longer be fulfilling his role as non-executive director and advisor at Alpine’s Formula One team in the future, the four-time world champion explains the background to the split and comes down hard on his former employer.
In doing so, Prost reveals that he felt increasingly isolated at Alpine following the arrival of CEO Laurent Rossi. “The 2021 season was very worrying for me because I felt that those who had been here for a long time had to leave,” he tells French newspaper ‘L’Equipe’.
“I accept change because you don’t always have to manage Formula One in the same way. You can do it differently, and that’s what they did last year. But for me it has become too complicated. “
Prost complains about lack of respect
I was no longer involved in decision-making and sometimes disagreed – “not at all”, Prost explains. “But I had to continue to keep the official form. Even as a member of the board, I only found out about some decisions at the last minute.”
“Maybe they don’t listen to me, but I should at least be informed in time. It’s a question of respect,” the Frenchman frets. “Relationships have become more and more complicated, I could feel a lot of jealousy. “
According to him, Rossi had made it clear to him that he no longer wanted an advisor: “Laurent Rossi wants to be alone and not be bothered by anyone. He even told me himself that he doesn’t need an advisor any more. That was in Qatar, but he still offered me a contract in Abu Dhabi, which I refused. “
Gelt addiction of Laurent Rossi a problem
Prost’s disappointment runs deep, as he had believed in “this ambitious project”, he insists. “However, there is now a real push to sideline a lot of people. Laurent Rossi wants all the limelight,” criticises the Frenchman.
“What interests me is the challenge of being in a team, being listened to and being involved in some decisions. I kept myself very much in the background on purpose, but despite all the disagreements I kept to myself, I discreetly had some influence. “
In addition to his comments to ‘L’Equipe’, Prost also had clear words on Instagram, particularly about the way Alpine had handled the news of his departure. “I am very disappointed with the way this news was announced today,” the 66-year-old wrote.
“It was agreed that we would announce this together with the Alpine team! No respect, sorry! I turned down the offer made to me in Abu Dhabi for the 2022 season because of a personal relationship and I was right! To the team at Enstone and Viry, I will miss you.”
Prost’s exit from Alpine comes at a time when Rossi is undertaking a general overhaul of the management level. For example, the team recently announced that managing director Marcin Budkowski was leaving with immediate effect. He is expected to be succeeded by former Aston Martin team boss Otmar Szafnauer.
