Survival of new F1 teams 'impossible': Prost
Former F1 driver Alain Prost has said the survival and success of new teams in the present Formula One scenario is "absolutely impossible".
Former F1 driver Alain Prost has said the survival and success of new teams in the present Formula One scenario is "absolutely impossible".
Prost himself bought out Ligier in 1997 and tried to set up a successful F1 team. And, even though the team managed to take two podiums and finish sixth in the championship in its debut season, it eventually went bust after 2001. The new teams currently in F1 - Caterham, HRT and Marussia - have all failed to score points during their first two seasons and Prost said it was impossible for them to be competitive in today's scenario.
"I will say quite frankly that they cannot become competitive in today's Formula One," Prost told F1News. "It's impossible. They can make some progress, but - of course - you must immediately put the question 'What goals do they pursue?' To break into the top five with a new team like this in formula one - it is absolutely impossible."
The struggle in fact is not just restricted to the new teams as Prost also revealed how he failed to help Williams bring in more sponsors during the winter.
"I talk often with Frank Williams, and this winter I even tried to help find him some sponsors, but failed. It's difficult for them as when you get yourself into financial problems, it's so hard to get out of them."