Gauloises Prost Peugeot in the year 2000: confidence and performance

During the first two years of our team's existence, we chose to focus on a quantitative and rapid evolution: it was essential for us to expand, to improve in terms of strength and speed to make our name in Formula 1 racing circles. Everybody knows how difficult it is to enter and then to carve a niche for oneself in this sport.

We concentrated on growth and integration: integration of youth because it is important to cultivate a young work force for our future. Integration of a multinational personnel, because the sport crosses many frontiers. We have also created a varied and impressive team of partners, which is essential from the point of view of our development both technical and financial.

Since mid 1999, we have taken the utmost care in respect of quality, attention to detail and finish. Today we have a totally new car, which far better reflects the present day potential of our technical team. Our management of subcontractors has changed: we now have a far more precise strategy for the future, in particular with the setting up of our new official base in England. After all this concerted effort, we must now put to the test the work we have accomplished.

The year 2000 is particularly important because of all this work: each of us needs to see the fruits of this long term effort, and in a definite way.

Everyone who took part in the making of the Prost Peugeot AP03 must feel proud of - and satisfied with - what they have achieved. Of course there is still a great deal to be done but, the building era past, it is a new spirit which must reveal itself in 2000, one based on confidence and performance. The confidence of the whole team, the hopes invested in Prost Grand Prix for the past years by our partners, everyone's loyalty, all this must be rewarded.

The year 2000 also marks the arrival of a new pair of drivers for Gauloises Prost Peugeot. The two complement each other: Jean Alesi brings remarkable experience and motivation, whereas Nick Heidfeld is a talented young driver, who we expect to gain impressive results as of this year. With Stéphane Sarrazin, brought back as official test driver for 2000, we have a solid team, capable of giving a high quality performance.

At the beginning of the new season, the anticipation level is high and we are looking forward to putting the team's hard work to the test.