Prost accuses Alpine of "no respect" following exit revelation

Ian Parkes
Monday 17 January 2022 21:38

Alain Prost has accused Alpine of "no respect" after details of his exit from the F1 team as an advisor was made public.

The four-time champion is the second high-profile figure to leave the French outfit in a matter of days after Marcin Budkowski departed from his role as executive director with immediate effect at the end of last week.

After three years driving for Renault in the early 1980s, Prost returned to Enstone in 2015 as a consultant and also served as a non-executive director before taking on a more advisory role over the past couple of years.

Working on an annual contract, a difference of opinion has emerged over which party severed ties.

GPFans understands that team management, led by CEO Laurent Rossi, opted not to renew the deal, while Prost claims it was his decision to walk away.

Either way, Prost has been left dismayed by details of his departure breaking ahead of the release of a joint statement.

Via a post on his Instagram, Prost wrote: "I am very disappointed how this news has been announced!

"It was agreed that we would announce together with @alpinef1team! No respect sorry!

"I have refused the offer made to me in Abu Dhabi for the 2022 season because of a personal relationship and I was right! To the Enstone and Viry team I will miss you."

It is understood former Aston Martin CEO and team principal Otmar Szafnauer will soon be joining the French team.