Alain Prost will once again be a regular figure in the Formula 1 pitlane and paddock as he takes on a role as special advisor for the French team, and started his tenure by confirming the team are targeting fifth in the constructors’ championship but playing down taking on the pace setters just yet.
Speaking at the launch of the Renault RS17, Prost told ESPN, “I think it’s a very important season because it’s the first year that all the team were able to build the car – Enstone on one side and Viry on the other – and think about the integration of the engine.”
“The engine is a completely new engine, its very promising but we need to see what it does on the track.”
“So it’s very important we go back to a normal performance, even if we know its much, much, much too soon to beat the top teams.”
“But the position of fifth in the championship is still ambitious but its realistic and I hope we can reach this objective.”
Regarding the new rules Prost admitted, “I’m excited as you can imagine. Looking at the size of the car, it’s like the old days with the big tyre.”
“I’m going to be in Barcelona on Monday and I’m going to be curious to hear what the drivers have to say after a few laps with the fast corners.”
“It is going to be a big challenge physically. But I think it is very positive for Formula 1 because it needed a new cycle.”
“I think it’s important we can have some impressive cars as we need to show people that F1 is something special, which it is, and maybe to bring new, maybe younger people who don’t follow F1 too much,” added Prost.
The four times F1 world champion drove for Renault from 1981 to 1983, winning eight races for them and finishing second in the championship in the final year with the team.
Ten years later Prost won the 1993 F1 World Championship in a Renault powered Williams. It was his final year in Formula 1.
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