Alain Prost regrets Renault and Group Lotus collaboration
The former Formula One driver, Alain Prost sees the collaboration of Group Lotus and Renault F1 team as a big disappointment.
The old French racer believes that this has taken the series one step further away from France as the only French team in the sport is now being sponsored by the Malaysian car manufacturer company, Group Lotus. With this collaboration deal, Group Lotus has
become the title sponsor of the team and Renault will be seen on the 2011 grid as Lotus Renault GP. A few months back, the French government showed reluctance to re-enter the Formula One calendar, which also made the driver lament immensely.
The 4-time world champion and a legendary name in the sport announced earlier today that he "regrets" Renault's decision. The team has sold all the major shares to the Enstone based F1 team and in 2011 it will only be only be entering the grid as an engine
supplier.
While talking to the media earlier today, Prost said, "These are the facts. We (France) have hit the bottom. You can be optimistic and hope people realise this is not a good thing for a car country like France. So perhaps there will be measures or strategies
implemented to return things to normal, maybe even better than in the past.”
However, the legendary racer, who also owned the Guyencourt-based F1 team and had to sell it ten years ago, due to financial issues agrees that although it was sad, yet true that in the recent few years France has become a little auto-phobic. He also agreed
that now many of the auto manufacturing companies and marquees are no more interested in investing in Formula One, especially the French ones.
He explained saying, "That there is no French Grand Prix is one thing, but that there are no French drivers racing is a big gap. That is what brings people's interest to the sport."
Prost further admitted that this situation has developed over a long time and went completely unnoticed by the authorities. He regrets the fact that it could have been avoided easily but the area stayed ignored.
He concluded saying, "The Renault team was part of history and heritage so when you lose that it's hard to get back. Being an engine supplier of course is very good, but I think it (Renault's departure as a team owner) is a shame. But then, I understand
the need to make savings. But it's going to be more even difficult for France and French drivers (now)."
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