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Renault signed Fernando Alonso fairly than Sebastian Vettel to succeed McLaren-bound Daniel Ricciardo subsequent 12 months as a result of his stage of motivation was extra convincing, Alain Prost stated Saturday. The four-time world champion, who’s an advisor to the French workforce, stated Renault additionally thought-about signing Valtteri Bottas, at present with Mercedes, however most popular Alonso, who will probably be 40 subsequent 12 months, for a similar causes.
“There were three great champions – Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas,” he defined.
“It was a little less obvious for Sebastian, in the sense that his motivation was not very clear. It was also difficult for Valtteri in that he has the best car.
“We wished somebody who shouldn’t be a alternative possibility, however somebody who’s totally motivated for the mission.”
Both Vettel, who is leaving Ferrari at the end of this year, and Bottas, who won last weekend’s season-opening Austrian Grand Prix for Mercedes, are currently under contract with top Formula One teams while Alonso has no ties.
Prost said he had talked to Alonso regarding concerns about his age and his motivation, notably in relation to widespread reports of his negative attitude during his final period with McLaren before he left in 2018.
“Yes, that may be a topic that I raised with him,” Prost told RMC Sport.
“Frankly, that is the dangerous aspect, however he talks about it overtly.
“He says that he has changed a lot and that his sabbatical years have matured him. In a way, he knows that he has no right to disappoint on this level.”
Prost additionally rejected recommendations that Renault had signed Alonso for advertising goals, fairly than his racing expertise – which introduced him two titles, in 2005 and 2006, when he was beforehand with the workforce.
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Prost admitted cash was an element, however added: “Making a choice only for marketing would be a mistake, but all the manufacturers in F1 want to reduce costs.
“It is regular that there’s a advertising side, however that isn’t the primary cause.”
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