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F1 'impossible' for new teams - Prost

ESPNF1 Staff
February 27, 2012 « Rosberg 'among the best in F1' - Brawn | Williams admits Newey 'mistake' »
Alain Prost ran his own Formula One team for five seasons, with its best result being sixth in the 1997 constructors' championship © Sutton Images
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Alain Prost believes it is "absolutely impossible" for new teams to be successful coming in to Formula One.

Prost bought out Ligier to set up his own team in 1997, with the team managing two podiums in its debut season as it finished sixth in the constructors' championship. The Prost team eventually went bust after the 2001 season, and after Caterham, HRT and Marussia all failed to score a point during their first two seasons Prost said that the sport is too difficult to break in to and be on the pace.

"I will say quite frankly that they cannot become competitive in today's Formula One," Prost told F1News. "It's impossible. They can make some progress, but - of course - you must immediately put the question 'What goals do they pursue?' To break into the top five with a new team like this in formula one - it is absolutely impossible."

It's not just the new teams that struggle in the sport at present, however, as Prost also revealed he tried to help Williams bring in more sponsors during the winter.

"I talk often with Frank Williams, and this winter I even tried to help find him some sponsors, but failed. It's difficult for them as when you get yourself into financial problems, it's so hard to get out of them."

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