FEBRUARY 9, 2016

Titles not mandatory for Renault

F1 legend Alain Prost says it is "not mandatory" that Renault ever adds to its current tally of world championships.

F1 legend Alain Prost says it is not mandatory that Renault ever adds to its current tally of world championships.

As an engine supplier, the French carmaker has won titles with Williams, Benetton and Red Bull, and as a works constructor with Fernando Alonso last decade.

Now, Renault is returning to F1 as a full works team, but quadruple world champion Prost argues that more world championship success is not compulsory.

"To be world champion is not mandatory for Renault," he told Auto Motor und Sport.

"But we must at some point be able to race at the top of the world championship," the Renault brand ambassador said. "So that people around the world feel that Renault is a top team.

"For Mercedes or Audi, winning is much more important, while for us the world title would be a bonus," Prost added.

(GMM)