UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > JAGUAR ROLE SHUNNED BY PROST

Frenchman will wait for better offer

Lauda's departure has left a vacancy at Jaguar
Former owner and Team Principal of Prost Grand Prix Alain Prost is to turn down the opportunity to join Jaguar Racing, in hope of a more suitable role in the future.

Former World Champion and McLaren hero Prost lost the fight to maintain his ailing Prost Grand Prix outfit to the courts, which decided to put the team into administration in January 2002. Prost has not been involved in Formula 1 since the start of last year, and is actively looking for a way back into the sport.

Jaguar's Sporting Director and Team Principal of last season Niki Lauda was sacked in the post-season, and with Jaguar's recent staff and finance difficulties, Prost is not keen to have to rectify these problems.

In an interview with Autosport, Alain Prost said: "I don't want to be rude, but I cannot see any point in going to a team like Jaguar. They have reduced their budget and their staff. If I go there, I am going to be the one to have those problems. I am not interested in that."

"I am still very interested by what is happening in Formula One," he said. "I never stopped looking at what was happening and I've discussed it with a few people, constructors and key members. I wouldn't say I am completely out of the F1 business."

"If I had a good opportunity to be in a good team with a good ambience and having fun, they why not? At the moment those three parameters are not there for me to make the decision. I don't want to come back if I'm not going to be competitive or happy."

Alain's team Prost never managed to shake off their mid-field and minnow tab despite the rare but strong performances from fellow Frenchman Olivier Panis, who now drives for Toyota.

Written: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 17:23:38