At 1993 Portuguese Grand Prix
Alain Prost has announced that he will
retire from Formula 1 by the end of the season. Having done so he dress F1 world in black. But there was one man who made
a heroic attempt to bring Frenchman back to racing and almost succeed in his efforts. Ron Dennis. This article is an unpretentious attempt to restore a chronology of that days.
1993, December 18-19th. Paris, Bercy. F1 stars karting tournament.
At Bercy Alain was constantly followed by Peugeot-Sport director Jean-Pierre Jabouille.
Thas fact has generated an enormous wave of rumours that Prost will came back to drive
McLaren Peugeot in 1994. Given the question about firmness of his decision to leave racing, 4 times World Champion answered that he still think that he left Formula 1.
1994, January, 19th. Estoril. Rothmans Williams Renault launch.
Ayrton Senna and Damon Hill has presented Williams FW15D in the colors of the new title sponsor Rothmans. At the following press conference answering
the question about Alain Prosts contacts with McLaren Williams team principal Frank Williams stated:
'He is not contractually free to race with any other team in 1994. He retired which was his privilege. We was very kind and released him without any financial claims. But hell decide to come back first he has to call me. Itll be deeply embarrassing if hell decide to came back.'
1994, January, 21st.
FIA published a provisional entry list for upcoming F1 World Championship. The position of #2 driver
at McLaren is still empty. Besides of Alain Prost the candidates for this position are
Martin Brundle,
Derek Warwick and
Philippe Alliot, the Peugeot protegee. Brundle already had some proposals from
Ligier and Jordan but he refused it. Ligier press-officer said:
'Martin has interrupted all contacts with us. I advised him to wait with a final decision but its his personal business.'
1994, January 24th.
According to British Sun tabloid Ron Dennis has offered to Alain Prost a contract for 20 000 000 dollars. Peugeot-Sport director Jean-Peirre Jabouille has stated that There
is a very small chance that Alain Prost will drive McLaren Peugeot in 1994 World Championship. He doesnt keep off the talks about it. Prost himself has said Since rumours have been circulating about my possible return to competition, I have been wondering what people were thinking. Whatever final decision I take, for which no deadline has been fixed, I know it will not be easy.
1994, January 28th. Woking. McLaren MP4/9 Peugeot launch.
Ron Dennis and the teams only driver Mika Hakkinen has presented the new McLaren MP4/9 to the public. There was expectations that Alain Prost will be there too. But he wasnt. Alain has no legal ground to be here today. As he has no opportunity to sign a contract with McLaren for a moment. But things may change
very soon! said Jean-Pierre Jabouille. Ron Dennis added:
'discussions would continue between now and March 18, the final date for McLaren to name its second driver to Mika Hakkinen.
1994, February 3rd. Didcote. Williams pre-season press meeting.
Frank Williams: Driving for McLaren Peugeot, Prost will take away point from Williams Renault drivers. And our partners are very unsatisfied with it. The probability of his come back is very high, he loves races very much. But no attempt has been made to gain his release from the second year of his contract.
1994, February 9th. Woking. Ron Dennis press conference.
Team McLaren principal Ron Dennis has stated that Alain Prost has agreed to test McLaren MP4/9 Peugeot. Alain already visited our fabric at Woking and he agreed to test McLaren MP4/9. This gives as a hope that hell be drive for us in upcoming World Championship. Also he said that Prost didnt sign a contract with McLaren yet. Peugeot Sport director Jean-Pierre Jabouille added Now we came to an agreement about testing. First of them will take place in two weeks, maybe later. There was no talks about full-time racing in 1994.
1994. February 17th.
Alain Prost makes a big interview for French TF1 TV-channel where he discusses the possibility of his come-back to
racing.
1994,
March, 1st. Silverstone. McLaren MP4/9 Peugeot shakedown.
The new McLaren hit the track for the first time. After an obligatory photo session Mika Hakkinen fired up Peugeot A4 engine and came out of the boxes for the first lap. But at that moment the rain has started and in the end of lap young Finn lost control over the car and flown out of the track. The debut of the new car turn into anecdote. But neither Ron Dennis, nor Jean-Pierre Jabouille looked disappointed, having stated that the car is far from what it should be and a long work needed. Next day Martin Brundle has joined Mika Hakkinen in the test work. Seems that Ron Dennis have a spare variant in case if Prost decide not to drive for McLaren.
1994. March, 8th. Estoril. McLaren testing.
Alain Prost arrived at McLaren boxes at 8 oclock in the morning. He looked rested and relaxed after several weeks at Meribel. And as he crossed the doorsteps he was embraced by his old friends Ron Dennis and Jo Ramires. Peugeot-Sport director Jean-Pierre Jabouille was trying to keep a descent seriousness.
At 10:12 McLaren MP4/9 without any numbers with Prost in the cockpit made a first lap on the circuit. Then follows a short briefing with engineers and two more laps. Another stop and 4 laps, best 1.17,8 (Damon Hill last years pole 1.11,49). At 10:37 Mika Hakkinen arrives on track 5 laps with 1.15,7 on its best. The next Prosts attempt was at 11:20 1.15,2! And so on. Alain made about 40 laps at all that day. And at 17:10 he finally came out to see the press.
AP:
I felt quite emotional when I started driving the car again this morning. It is difficult for me to know what to say. It may be one month before I announce my decision
... The decision to finish my F1 career was dictated by non-sportive reasons. Now Im testing McLaren because I still feel great passion to the sport. These tests are very important for me because the choice that I have to make can change all my life and career.
Q: How your family treats your decision to test McLaren?
AP: I didnt have to explain something to Nicolas hes just excited! The hardest thing was to talk to my wife and parents. But they understood me and now I fell much easier.
Q: You still under contract with Williams and so you can test McLaren, but you cant drive for them in World Championship. How do you plan to resolve this problem?
AP: Its hard to imagine that Ill be satisfied with role of test-driver. Even though I know that I wont became World Champion this year, but now I dont feel such a pressure like it was before. So, if Ill decide to come back Ill be driving McLaren in Grand Prix. But I dont see any reasons to contact Frank Williams before I made a decision. We call each other
regularly and I dont think that well need lawers to resolve the problem with my contract.
1994. March 11th
There is a rumors that Ron Dennis has already signed Martin Brundle as a teammate to Mika Hakkinen in 2 first races of the season at Brazil and Japan.
Ayrton Senna in one of his interviews answering to the question related to Prosts possible come back declared:
'Thats not a surprise for me. I was sure that hell want to came back. Of course, I dont know anything about his plans. But whatever decision hell made, no-one has rights to judge him. I dont really bother if he will decide to stay. Now Im busy testing a new car and dont think about it at all.'
1994, March 15th.
At 19:00 in the interview to the French TF1 TV channel Alain Prost has
stated that he wont be present in 1994 Formula 1 World Championship.
'I didnt change my decision that I made last September. I was fair
and didnt promise anything to Ron Dennis, when I tested his car last week. I wanted to test myself, to see if I really want to race again. The answer is no. I'm not ready to take the risks anymore.'
(c) F1 A.D.
