Renault will no longer have an official Formula One team in the series, after selling the remaining stake in the Enstone based organization to Genii Capital a couple of days ago. The French carmaker will remain in the Great Circus only as an engine supplier, as it will ensure V8 power to no less than three teams on the 2011 grid: Lotus Renault F1 Team, Red Bull Racing and Team Lotus.
After voicing his frustration of his country's reluctance to ensure the building of a Formula One track that would ensure France a return into the F1 schedule, Prost now admitted his regret over seeing Renault walk away from the series as a works team.
“These are the facts. We (France) have hit the bottom,” admitted Prost in an interview with Auto Hebdo at an event in Paris.
“You can be optimistic and hope people realize this is not a good thing for a car country like France. So perhaps there will be measures or strategies implemented to return things to normal, maybe even better than in the past.”
“But it's extremely difficult right now because our country has become a little auto-phobic. Companies and marques have no desire to invest in formula one. That there is no French grand prix is one thing, but that there are no French drivers racing is a big gap. That is what brings people's interest to the sport,” he added.
If the F1 grid was the scene were several French drivers used to dispute race wins back in the '80s and '90s, the 2011 championship will witness no official French team or driver.
“The Renault team was part of history and heritage so when you lose that it's hard to get back. Being an engine supplier of course is very good, but I think it (Renault's departure as a team owner) is a shame. But then, I understand the need to make savings. But it's going to be more even difficult for France and French drivers (now).”
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