Heinz-Harald Frentzen was “reasonably pleased” after completing his first shakedown of the Prost AP04 at Magny Cours this weekend. The German and his team owner, Alain Prost, have vowed to face up to huge challenges at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Heinz-Harald Frentzen has completed a “problem-free” shakedown test for the Prost team at the Magny-Cours circuit in France and is in the process of familiarising himself with the workings of the AP04, race engineers and his new team members.
During the actual shakedown, Frentzen used the 50 km allowed by the FIA to try out Ferrari power and Michelin tyres, as well as several practice starts to compare the Prost launch control system over the troublesome one used by the Jordan team.
Heinz was reasonably pleased with the outcome and although he refused to comment too much on the times set during this first run, apart from expressing satisfaction, he is looking forward to this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
“Despite the Formula One test ban in the summer break, the FIA allows so-called “shake down” tests. I used this opportunity to do 50km at Magny-Cours, using literally every inch of this distance,” Frentzen said.
“I can say that I am quite happy with the car, as there have been no problems at all. As the track was pretty dirty, I can hardly comment on the times, but I am quite satisfied in that regard as well.
“Now I am looking forward to Budapest. This race will be a huge challenge for the Prost team and me, but I’m very motivated,” he said. “Everyone must be patient because of all the new things that I must get used to. So far so good, we had a good first day.”
In a bullish mood, Prost has issued a statement saying that he will still be at the head of Prost Grand Prix in 2002 despite rumours that he may be forced to sell his 40 per cent stake in the French outfit due to financial difficulties.
Despite the team’s increasing debts and the threat of having equipment impounded at next month’s Belgian Grand Prix, Prost insists he will still be in charge next year.
“I will be in Formula One next year, at the head of my team,” Prost said.
The Paris-based squad has a customer engine deal to use Ferrari V10s this year, which is thought to be costing more than R180 million. Such an expensive engine supply, allied to Prost’s lack of any major sponsors, could force the four-time world champion to sell his share in the team to fellow shareholder and former driver Pedro Diniz, who already owns a 40 per cent stake.