Divorce with Alpine angers Prost: “It shows no respect”

Renault has made structural and radical changes to its management this winter as it has now made the appropriate decision for its team’s long-time special adviser, Allen Prost, after announcing it is ending its relationship with its former director Marcin Budkovsky.

Meanwhile, rumors are mounting that Budmarovski’s position and leadership of Alpine F1 will be taken over by Otmar Zafnauer, following the announcement of his departure from Aston Martin a few days earlier. The Romanian is set to be followed at Alpine by BWT, a former Aston Martin sponsor.

Alpine’s split from Alain Prost was bitter as the 66-year-old Frenchman expressed strong dissatisfaction with the way the team leaked information about the end of their partnership ahead of the official announcement. In fact, this information was published on the official Formula 1 website.

Prost later in the afternoon confirmed his departure from the team as information about this choice is ambiguous. Alpine has reportedly decided not to renew her contract with him, while Prost himself insists he was the one who turned down the offer made to him to stay.

The Frenchman commented on social media: “I am very disappointed with the way the news was announced today, we had agreed to make the announcement together with Alpine. Sorry, but that shows no respect“.

And he continued: “I turned down an offer I was made in Abu Dhabi for the 2022 season due to a personal relationship and I was right! To the Enstone and Viry teams, I will miss you“.

Prost got even sharper, especially when talking to Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi in a conversation with the French L’Equipe: “Rossi’s wish is to operate alone, not to be infected by anyone. He told me he didn’t need any more advice. Many people wish to be excluded“.