FEBRUARY 28, 2001

Prost launches car in Australia

PROST GRAND PRIX officially launched their 2001 challenger at Albert Park on Wednesday with the promise the new Prost Acer AP04 will impress in the opening races of the season.

The Guyancourt-based team unveiled the new livery, which featured sponsors PSN, Acer, Adecco, Parmalat, Dark Dog, Bramstemp and Michelin, at the circuit which will host the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Team boss Alain Prost was joined by drivers Jean Alesi and Gaston Mazzacane and Prost said that his team will erase the memory of their troubles last year.

"I feel we are finally ready to step up and achieve credible gains this year," team boss Prost said. "In the pre-season, the team and its technical partners Ferrari and Michelin have worked very hard and their efforts have paid off.

"The AP04 ran on the track quite early and since its first test, it has performed well and consistently.

"Our initial focus has been on reliability and we seem to have achieved that. Our next objective is to improve upon our already good performance of the winter tests.

"An intense development program has been put in place and will be carried out throughout the season. I am confident that Prost and its partners will see positive results from the very first races of the season."