France’s Formula One interests have hit rock bottom, according to four-time world champion Alain Prost.
The former F1 driver believes the country is losing interest as their involvement slowly erodes. The sale of the Renault F1 team in 2010 to Genii Capital and the new partnership with Group Lotus leaves the country with very little links to the sport.
“These are the facts. We [France] have hit the bottom,” Prost told Auto Hebdo.
“You can be optimistic and hope people realise this is not a good thing for a car country like France. Perhaps there will be measures or strategies implemented to return things to normal, maybe even better than in the past.
“But it’s extremely difficult right now because our country has become a little auto-phobic. Businesses and brands have no desire to invest in F1,” he added.
The 55-year-old is worried the lack of a French driver will damage the popularity of the sport among his fellow-countrymen as they have very little to support, other than Renault’s engine supply interests with Red Bull, Lotus-Renault and Team Lotus.
“The fact there is no French Grand Prix is one thing, but that there are no French drivers is a big gap. That is what brings audiences to the sport, but for me it’s not a surprise.”
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