F1 Prost, what a shame!! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Andy G · 22nd November 2001, 12:00

Prost has filed for Bankruptcy

http://www.f1-live.com/f1-2001/en/he...22104844.shtml

JohnH · 22nd November 2001, 13:07

Thats a real shame as he is one of the really nice guys in F1 and has been involved a long time both as driver and team owner. Unfortunately I think things are going to get tougher in F1 as sponsors start to cut back.

JohnH · 22nd November 2001, 19:04

Just read that he owes Ferrari for last years engines. Perhaps Schuey can give him a loan!! Debts total about 30M USD but unfortunately he has no major Sponsor for next year.

Andy G · 23rd November 2001, 09:53

He aslo owed Alesi for his drives last season as well, and was paying Frentzen per finish? **** hits the fan in a big way in F1.

TCM · 23rd November 2001, 16:43

What a shame. It is too bad that F1 is so expensive and political. It is the most talented racing in the world (except for maybe rallying) and provides a great spectacle which I never get to see (no Speedvision

). The one good thing about NASCAR is that there is a lot more competition. I think some competition in F1 would be great. At least Williams is in the mix now. How do you guys think Toyota will do? I think they are going to surprise a lot of people and do really well. All well, to run with the big boys you need to be one of the big boys I guess.

Andy G · 23rd November 2001, 17:06

I think, that although they are a large manufacturer, with competition history, the first season will still be a steep learning curve for Toyota. When BAR came into the show, they were saying that they expect to be winning by the end of their first year, but as history shows, they failed on that side, but gained valuable experience.
Toyota may be a more competitive outfit at the start of the season than BAR were, but the competition will be fierce, I believe they will be struggling to start with. Maybe 2003 will see them show their true colours. Whatever, 2002 will be a good year with the likes of Williams giving the rest a run for their money.

JohnH · 23rd November 2001, 17:29

I agree with Andy that Toyota will find it tough and will take a few years to establish themselves. Will be interesting to see how McNish does. Have a feeling that McLaren will be back a lot stronger and of course Williams who seemed to have the best engine last year will hopefully have got the rest of the car sorted.

VanCooper · 26th November 2001, 10:55

I know this is a longshot and sound crazy but I hope Jacques Villeneuve really gets a better car soon because he has the talent to win championships! my fellow canadian will always be my favorite driver!

JohnH · 26th November 2001, 11:24

Am surprised that Jacques has stayed at BAR so long. It all seems so promising at the beginning but they have really struggled and he has looked pretty de-motivated at times. Still I guess the big bucks are some compensation