Europe 1 with AFP 4:52 p.m., January 17, 2022

Former driver Alain Prost will no longer be non-executive director of the Formula 1 Alpine team for the 2022 season. The four-time world champion had an ambassador-advisory role within the team for Renault's return to F1 in 2016, before being named non-executive director in 2019.

Former driver Alain Prost will no longer be non-executive director of the Formula 1 Alpine team for the 2022 season, AFP learned from a source familiar with the matter, confirming information from the specialized Motorsport site.

Alain Prost, four-time F1 world champion (1985, 1986, 1989 and 1993), had a role as ambassador-advisor within the team for Renault's return to F1 in 2016, before being appointed director non-executive in 2019.

A team undergoing restructuring

The 66-year-old former Renault driver (1981-1983) had an annual contract with the organization and it was not renewed for the next season. Renamed Alpine at the start of the 2021 season, the team based in Viry-Châtillon (France) for the engine part and in Enstone (United Kingdom) for the chassis is in full restructuring around its president Laurent Rossi.

Last week, Marcin Budkowski left his post as executive director.

While waiting for his replacement, Rossi occupies these functions temporarily.

The departure of Budkowski could open the door to the American Otmar Szafnauer, who has just left his position as general manager of Aston Martin.

Alpine is keeping its drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon for the 2022 season, which is due to start on March 20 in Bahrain for a record calendar of 23 Grands Prix.