Prost AP04

Racing car
Car_name = Prost AP04


Category = Formula One
Constructor = Prost
Designer = Henri Durand
Team = Prost Acer
Drivers = 22. Jean Alesi & Heinz-Harald Frentzen
23. Gastón Mazzacane, Luciano Burti & Tomáš Enge
Chassis = Carbon-fibre monocoque
Front suspension = torsion bars, dampers
Rear suspension = torsion bars, dampers
Engine name = Acer-badged Ferrari
Capacity =
Configuration = V10 (90°)
Turbo/NA = naturally aspirated
Engine position =
Gearbox name = Ferrari
Gears = 7-speed
Type = titanium and carbon longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Differential =
Fuel = Shell
Tyres = Michelin
Debut = 2001 Australian Grand Prix
Races = 17
Wins = 0
Cons_champ = 0
Drivers_champ = 0
Poles = 0
Fastest_laps = 0
The Prost AP04 was the car with which the Prix team competed in the F1|2001 Formula One season. It was initially driven by the experienced Jean Alesi, who was in his second year with the team, and Gastón Mazzacane, who brought valuable PSN sponsorship from Minardi.

For Prost, 2001 was a season of struggle as Alain Prost struggled to keep the team going. Initially, things looked quite promising after the catastrophic F1|2000 season, with the Diniz family becoming shareholders and bringing Parmalat sponsorship to the team. The AP04 also used a Ferrari engine and transmission, although the former was badged as an Acer in deference to the team's title sponsor. Prost was also one of several teams to opt for the new Michelin tyres on the French company's return to the sport. Alesi set fast times in winter testing, and the car appeared to show capable speed.

However, the team were mired in the midfield once the season began, fueling the speculation that the team had run an illegally fast car to attract sponsors. However, the cars were quite reliable, Alesi finishing all 12 races he had with the team. In the process he scored four precious points, but left the team for Jordan after the German GP to replace the sacked Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The German took over Alesi's role as team leader, but could not add to the points tally.

The team's driver problems were even more acute in the #23 car. Mazzacane was dropped after four races in favour of fellow-South American Luciano Burti, who had himself been dropped by Jaguar. Burti was quicker but also got involved in two enormous accidents which wrote off two chassis. The latter, at the Belgian GP put him out for the rest of the season. His replacement, Tomáš Enge, performed competently, but destroyed another car at the Japanese GP.

By the end of the season, however, the focus was firmly on Prost's impending collapse. Prost had fallen out with Diniz and his father, and the team was running out of money. Various deals to buy the team came to nought, and Prost did not survive into F1|2002. The cars and other assets were bought by Phoenix Finance, which attempted to enter a team for 2002 and F1|2003, but were barred from doing so by the FIA, as they had not bought Prost's entry or paid the mandatory bond for new teams.

The team eventually finished ninth in the Constructors' Championship, with four points.

Complete Formula One results

() (results in bold indicate pole position)

References

*cite book| last =Henry| first =Alan (ed.)| authorlink =Alan Henry| coauthors =| title =AUTOCOURSE 2001-2002| publisher =Hazleton Publishing Ltd.| date =2001| location =| pages =pp. 98-99| url =| doi =| id =ISBN 1-903135-06-0

External links