OCTOBER 23, 2000

Prost creep away to lick their wounds

THE Prost team had a disastrous race, not only technically but also financially.

THE Prost team had a disastrous race, not only technically but also financially. They had to finish seventh or higher to beat Minardi into the top ten of the constructors' championships, but failed and have to face the 2001 season without the million pound travel allowance which goes with top ten status.

That is certainly a bitter pill to add to the fact that they will have to find £15 million to lease Ferrari engines next season. Moreover, the French team will be short on testing miles for next season as its first car powered by the Italian V10 engine will not be ready to run much before the end of January.

Prior to that the team will limit itself to a couple of days' testing with the current Prost-Peugeot AP03 in December just to try the 2000-spec Bridgestone tires.

"We will be using the last two serviceable Peugeot V10s in our possession," quipped a jaded team insider.