Flavio Briatore to take over Prost??

steve nielsen · 11 Nov 2001, 15:06 (Ref:173267)

There are rumours that Flavio Briatore wants to take over Prost, give them Renault/Megachrome engines, and hire Aloso and Webber to drive the cars. Sounds good to me

Glen · 11 Nov 2001, 16:21 (Ref:173297)

Sounds good to me too. A team can't survive these days, let alone do well and score points, without exceptional management talent at the very top of the structure. I admit that I know relatively little about Alain Prost's abilities in that department - but when you see drivers suddenly getting swapped out of their seats, and hear of big fallings-out with co-owners, you start to see a big difference between successful and also-ran team owners.

Tristan · 11 Nov 2001, 16:38 (Ref:173309)

Nah. This IS too good. I can't see it.

Ok, the "Flavio to buy out Prost" bit I CAN believe, but HHF and Enge will be driving next year.

**Bononi** · 11 Nov 2001, 17:22 (Ref:173327)

Could it be ?

Does it mean that Prost will be Flavio's employee ?????

Uhn...

f1manoz · 11 Nov 2001, 22:49 (Ref:173448)

This rumour has been round in some form or other for the past few months now. But Briatore taking over Prost is entirely new to me.

To be honest, it sounds like a good idea. Alain, although a great racer, has proven that his talents should have been left on the track. If Briatore came in, then he would likely be left in an ambassadorial role.

However, Alonso and Webber to drive? Nah, maybe Webber because Briatore has promised him a seat, but Alonso will be at Renault to get the seat Button will be forces to vacate around mid-season when he completely screws up again!!!

srinimax · 11 Nov 2001, 22:50 (Ref:173449)

he would have to be. and thats precisely why i dont think it'll happen. prost has shown this stubborn streak in him to keep banging his head against a wall. he insists on ownership and leadership despite a really bad performance from him. perhaps only bankrupcy will team him a lesson. too bad though its turning out this way.

EERO · 12 Nov 2001, 01:19 (Ref:173486)

A number of things make this rumour questionable.

1) Briatore has already owned and sold the team. I cannot believe he'd buy it back at a loss.

2) Mechachrome? Do those old Re-badged Renaults still exist? Has there been any developemnet since the end of 2000? I doubt it.

3) Better HHF than Webber.

ozrevhead · 12 Nov 2001, 23:55 (Ref:173847)

Quote:

Originally posted by steve nielsen
There are rumours that Flavio Briatore wants to take over Prost, give them Renault/Megachrome engines, and hire Aloso and Webber to drive the cars. Sounds good to me

That would be totaly OUT OF THIS WORLD if that could happen

!!!!!!!
Both mark and fernado deserve a drive & flavio briatore stated that he wants to get mark in f1....

Quote:

Originally posted by f1manoz
However, Alonso and Webber to drive? Nah, maybe Webber because Briatore has promised him a seat, but Alonso will be at Renault to get the seat Button will be forces to vacate around mid-season when he completely screws up again!!!

As for alonso to renult, f1 manoz: it be far better for fernando if he gets results in the second Renault - (if that happens) - that are better than jenson in the main car than just test-driving surely???????

Hugh Jarce · 13 Nov 2001, 10:13 (Ref:173938)

Quote:

Originally posted by f1manoz
Alonso and Webber to drive? Nah, maybe Webber because Briatore has promised him a seat, but Alonso will be at Renault to get the seat Button will be forces to vacate around mid-season when he completely screws up again!!!

Me thinks so too!

**Stephen Green** · 13 Nov 2001, 13:56 (Ref:173999)

I'm sure the Meccachrome engines do exist and that Flavio has the marketing rights to them as well. As to development, I doubt it, but then it has to be better than the dog of an engine they use at the moment surely?

Glen · 13 Nov 2001, 14:41 (Ref:174014)

One year out-of-date Ferrari engines = "dog of an engine"? Don't think so. Sauber didn't seem to mind them and 'twas enough to enable them to see-off both Honda teams, Ford and Renault.

Prost reliability was second only to Ferrari last year - shame the same can't be said of their speed! I'd go so far as to say that the engine is the only bit of the Prost team that doesn't need changing! If Prost make it to the grid with a different engine it will be because of money (or lack of it). That's if they make it at all.

steve nielsen · 13 Nov 2001, 16:04 (Ref:174035)

if this goed through we'll have 2 Renault teams, 2 Honda teams,2 Ferrari teams and 2 Cosworth teams.........

**Stephen Green** · 13 Nov 2001, 16:33 (Ref:174044)

Point taken Glen, you are right of course! However, if Flavio should tale over Prost, then he has the rights to engines that would presumably be somewhat cheaper than the current Prost/Ferrari deal?

**Bononi** · 13 Nov 2001, 16:39 (Ref:174045)

...and that means the engines Benetton used this season... blaarghh

Nicholas · 13 Nov 2001, 16:51 (Ref:174049)

Maybe not such a good idea after all...

Although to be fair, they weren't so bad towards the end. And they should be a damn sight cheaper than those Ferraris.

**Stephen Green** · 13 Nov 2001, 23:18 (Ref:174305)

The Mechacrome engines are not this years Renaults folks, they are the ones Arrows used a couple of years ago. Re worked Williams engines I believe.

**Bononi** · 13 Nov 2001, 23:35 (Ref:174311)

So, anyway, where this is leading to ?

nowhere I think.

racer69 · 14 Nov 2001, 04:40 (Ref:174346)

All Mecachrome/Supertecs are are rebadged Renault engines, they could be the same spec if they wanted them to be, Mecachrome used to build the factory Renault Engines in the mid 90s.

I wouldn't be suprised if this was true. Renault were going to buy Minardi through Mecachrome this year but something happened.

If Flav went to Prost, HHF or Enge would be gone, Flav wants Webber in F1, he said it himself and that he thought webber would be competitive.

steve nielsen · 14 Nov 2001, 05:26 (Ref:174351)

maybe they'll give Prost(Briatore) the engine that Benetton used in the end of the season and rebadge them Nissan(could be)

Valve Bounce · 14 Nov 2001, 11:27 (Ref:174395)

Where are you guys getting all these stories and suppositions from? Is this all just bull$hitting, or wishfull thinking or what?
I cannot see any good coming from the old Mechachrome engines as they are very outdated by now. If anything is going to come from anyone buying the Prost team, then it would need greatly improved aerodynamics , greatly worked chassis, and at least the customer Ferrari or next years Renault to be any good - and all this requires oodles of cash injection. Otherwise, lets forget all the rumours, because they are only leading us to the back of the grid.

**Bononi** · 14 Nov 2001, 11:49 (Ref:174402)

Anyway... How about Prost ? Any news about their future ?

Things doesn't look bright last time I read about it.

EERO · 15 Nov 2001, 20:10 (Ref:175116)

Quote:

Originally posted by Valve Bounce
Where are you guys getting all these stories and suppositions from? Is this all just bull$hitting, or wishfull thinking or what?
I cannot see any good coming from the old Mechachrome engines as they are very outdated by now. If anything is going to come from anyone buying the Prost team, then it would need greatly improved aerodynamics , greatly worked chassis, and at least the customer Ferrari or next years Renault to be any good - and all this requires oodles of cash injection. Otherwise, lets forget all the rumours, because they are only leading us to the back of the grid.

qouoted in full for emphasis

Thanks, Bouncey, a little common sense is otherwise in short supply around here.

Wiki · 16 Nov 2001, 02:07 (Ref:175285)

Granted Alain proved as good a team manager as Tarso did a driver .... but give Prost to Flav the W*nker(official title) -- NO WAY!!!
That snake-eyed boy already has too many fingers in too many pies to the detriment of a lot of good drivers like Fisi and Jarno and Ferdy. The last thing he needs is another team to furnish the wooden horses on the driver-go-round he runs like a gap-toothed gypsy shyster ....

Ban testing? ban traction control? Nah, ban Briatore!!

ozrevhead · 23 Nov 2001, 04:17 (Ref:177965)

Quote:

Originally posted by Valve Bounce
Where are you guys getting all these stories and suppositions from? Is this all just bull$hitting, or wishfull thinking or what?
I cannot see any good coming from the old Mechachrome engines as they are very outdated by now. If anything is going to come from anyone buying the Prost team, then it would need greatly improved aerodynamics , greatly worked chassis, and at least the customer Ferrari or next years Renault to be any good - and all this requires oodles of cash injection. Otherwise, lets forget all the rumours, because they are only leading us to the back of the grid.

the prost f1 team is in recevership...maybe it's not just rumors hey??
i guess im totaly biasd because i want mark webber to be in f1 - no matter how or why?

GO MARK WEBBER!!!!!!!!!!

Super Tourer · 23 Nov 2001, 09:11 (Ref:178001)

Hang on guys, lets put some financial perspective to this. Ok Briatore may have some cash and connections - but we are talking about a financial requirement of $80 million up to the end of 2002 alone!

Prost already owes $30 million, of which nearly all must be due to his 2001 suppliers. Plus you need at least $50 million for 2002 to make the Prost team a better prospect than it was this season - or the exercise is pointless.

AP has knocked on just about every door for sponsorship and 'partners' and no doubt used his connections to tweak the French government for support. All to no avail.

Would you want to spend $80 million on Prost?

HHF is just playing games to try and up the ante on his already limited options. This is an ex-Williams driver with a bust and feeble Prost team and tail enders - Arrows and Minardi 'pushing' for his services. In fact Arrows want him so much, they have asked HHF to pay the $1,000,000 get out clause on Verstappen's contract, if he wants the drive!

Minardi will improve next year (I hope) - but even so, all his options look to be firmly rooted at the rear of the grid.

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