FOUR Time World Champion Alain Prost has left his Advisory role at Alpine F1 Team amid a management shake-up at the niche French manufacturer and has accused the team of "no respect."
22/01/22
Four Time World Champion Alain Prost has left his role at Alpine and has heavily criticised the team's CEO Laurent Rossi as the Frenchman parts ways with the team.
Prost, 66, is one of the sport's most successful drivers and since 2017 has served as a special advisor to the team. Formerly known as Renault, the team rebranded last season to Alpine amidst a strategy of promoting the niche sports car brand.
On Monday, it was reported on F1's official website that Prost would be leaving his non-executive director role at Alpine however it wasn't until later that day that the Frenchman confirmed this.
CUT OUT: Prost drove for Renault for three seasons in the early 1980's securing podiums and race victories but was unable to deliver a championship for the Enstone based team
Appalled by the way the news had emerged, Prost critcised the team on how it was revealed and he also shut down claims that Alpine had opted not to renew his deal - instead he refused an offer to stay.
It's not known what Prost will decide to do next but it's very likely that he'll still be around the F1 Paddock when the season commences.
On Instagram, Prost said: "I am very disappointed how this news has been announced today."
"It was agreed that we would announce together with Alpine! No respect sorry!"
In a interview with newspaper L'Equipe, Prost explained the reasons behind his criticism - pointing blame and accusing CEO Laurent Rossi of jealousy. Prost also commented in saying that he had been cut out of the decision making process dating back to last season.
POWER GRABBING: Rossi (pictured above) was appointed the CEO position in January 2021 and reports to Luca de Meo who's the CEO of Renault
There's been no comment by Alpine or Rossi on the departure of Prost but this marks another significant change in management in less than a week.
Alpine parted ways with Executive Director Marcin Budkowski who split the team leadership role with Racing Director Davide Brivio for the 2021 Season.
With Budkowski out of the picture, Rossi will now "temporarily ensure the team's management" before a new figure is appointed.
NEW COLOURS: Alpine fared well in their first year in the sport - picking up their first race win in Hungary courtesy of Esteban Ocon and a further podium for Fernando Alonso in Qatar
Alpine finished their first season in the sport in fifth on 155 points - clear of mid-field rivals AlphaTauri and Aston Martin.
Their driver line-up, consisting of Alonso and Ocon, will remain unchanged heading into the 2022 Season.