Search:



The Web

Rediff










Home > Sports > Formula One > Reuters > Report

Renault should have opted for Montagny: Prost

October 13, 2004 12:05 IST

Renault should have given Frenchman Franck Montagny a chance to race in Formula One rather than drafting in Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, according to former champion Alain Prost.

"One can regret that it was not him (Montagny) for the last three races," the four times champion told France's TF1 television after Villeneuve finished 10th in Japan at the weekend.

"Honestly, I cannot understand Renault's choice and (team boss) Flavio Briatore's decision.

"It's his driver (Montagny) who is under contract and independently of the fact that he's French, he is a reserve driver who deserved the experience."

Also Read


Races face uncertain future

Column: Typhoon Thirteen

Mosley wants Britain, France to stay

I'm not ready to quit: Coulthard

Jaguar undecided over F1 future


Former champion Villeneuve was called up instead of Renault's regular test driver to replace Jarno Trulli for the season's last three races after the Italian signed for Toyota.

The Canadian, who left BAR last season and had not raced for almost a year before driving for Renault in Shanghai last month, failed to score any points in China and struggled at Suzuka.

"The training (I did) just wasn't enough for this track," said Villeneuve.

Renault are 16 points adrift of second-placed BAR going in to the season-ending race in Brazil, their hopes of completing the year as runner-up effectively over.

"Claiming second place is now a mathematical possibility rather than a probability," Renault's engineering director Pat Symonds said after the weekend's race at Suzuka.

"But that does not diminish our efforts in any way...both race drivers will be testing this week at Jerez and we will run new parts in Brazil that the conditions prevented us from evaluating in Japan.

"Our approach in Brazil will be very aggressive."



Article Tools
Email this article
Top emailed links
Print this article
Write us a letter
Discuss this article



Related Stories


Barrichello on pole, Schumi last

Villeneuve eager for revenge

Shanghai track trumps the Master



People Who Read This Also Read


Races face uncertain future








Formula One: The Complete Coverage

© Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.











Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.