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Could Prost have replaced Senna at Williams?


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#1 zakeriath

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 17:31

Having just finished reading the Malcolm Folley book, Senna versus Prost. The main question that comes to mind is why Prost did not replace Senna at Williams. Williams had paid Prost`s salary for the year. Prost stated he did not want to leave F1.


Was this ever an option?

Edited by zakeriath, 20 February 2011 - 17:31.


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#2 Ross Stonefeld

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 18:05

If they were paying his salary and he didn't want to leave, why did he leave? I thought he retired. And furthermore post Senna didn't he say he would never drive/race again? Which I assumed meant F1.

#3 COUGAR508

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 19:36

I stand to be corrected, but I seem to recall that shortly after Ayrton's death, Prost was asked by the media whether he would consider driving the Williams for the rest of the '94 season, if he was asked. He indicated that he would not do so out of respect for Senna's memory.

#4 D-Type

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Posted 20 February 2011 - 21:56

It's simpler than that.
Prost had taken a sabbatical in 1992, then come back in 1993 and won the Championship. He had then retired on a high note. He could have come back a second time, but why would he want do so? What did he stand to gain? What did he stand to lose?

#5 hogstar

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Posted 21 February 2011 - 13:35

I recall that Williams offered Patrese his seat back, as he had no drive for '94, but decided to stay 'retired'. Prost driving was a total non starter.

#6 Fiorentina 1

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 23:17

I think once a driver is retired, and has his mind-set on being out of racing, it is extremely difficult for him to come back to replace a driver who had been killed. The demons involved would be too much to bare. Especially for someone like Prost and probably also Patrese who have years of F1 experience, won many races and feel like they have nothing to prove. When you consider that two drivers died that weekend; your first thought is that you walked away at the right time. Coupled with the fact that both have families, I think a team manager wouldn't even ask either of them. Patrick Head would have had a better chance convincing Alan Jones to replace Senna then Alain Prost to be honest....

#7 rallen

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Posted 20 July 2013 - 19:14

What was the relationship between Prost and Williams? I got the impression Williams was disappointed with him due to his attitude in the wet and that they felt they never really got to see how quick he could go (Frank said as much) but then - did he really need to go any faster?

And Prost - well I got the impression he felt they were more keen on Senna than him...