Prost fiercely opposes Horner's idea: "Those teams will have no chance"

In the past year there has been a lot of discussion about reducing costs in Formula 1. Eventually, it was agreed that a budget ceiling is (for the time being) the best option for this. The idea of customer cars would be an alternative. Alain Prost does not like that at all.

According to the four-time world champion and advisor to the Renault factory team, the introduction of customer cars, as proposed by Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner, would damage the identity of Formula 1.

"The designers are the DNA of Formula 1," Prost said in an interview with L'Equipe. "A team has to build its own car, even if we use more standard parts. But the whole car is unthinkable. These teams wouldn't have a chance to win."

Lower costs, but more aerodynamic freedom

As far as he is concerned, parts that have no effect on performance should be standardized, but with the aerodynamics he likes to see more difference between the teams. By giving the designers more freedom in that respect, even small teams can come up with smart ideas.

Renault, the team to which Prost is affiliated, was one of the biggest critics of Racing Point's car during the winter tests in Barcelona. Apart from the colour, it looked suspiciously like a Mercedes, which led Renault and McLaren to question whether it was their own work.