- 18 Jun 08, 19:22#50026
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
From autosport.com:
Alain Prost believes a grand prix in Paris is the way forward for France to retain its place on the Formula One calendar.
Magny-Cours stages its last race this weekend due to the expiry of a contract F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone does not want to renew.
The Circuit de Nevers' inaccessibility, miles from any big city or airport, makes it unpopular, even if the track itself is a hit with a few of the drivers.
Ecclestone has instead long pitched for the race to be held in, or close to, the centre of Paris, believing such a high-profile venue is in keeping with the image of the sport these days.
Prost, a four-time World Champion in 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1993, is adamant France must do all it can to continue to stage a grand prix.
The race has been an almost permanent fixture since the inception of the World Championship in 1950, with the only exception being in 1955.
"It's important for a country like France to have a grand prix," said Prost, a six-time winner of the race.
"It's not just a race, but an event and it represents a lot for the car industry in general.
"But it's not my decision. In the end it's the economy that decides - Bernie Ecclestone and the manufacturers.
"But what we absolutely have to keep is the historic grands prix in Europe.
"That seems very important to me because I think it would be a mistake to have none.
"Formula One was built here and there are lots of European constructors, so we must keep this identity.
"France is a historic country in that sense, with its constructors, engineers and drivers.
"So we must keep a grand prix, although whether it be in Magny-Cours or around Paris is another discussion.
"It's true it would be easier around Paris because it represents what Formula One wants nowadays in terms of prestige and hotel capacity etc.
"But it won't be for 2009 because it is too early. It would only be for 2010, and then what happens in 2009?
"The questions can only be solved after June."
Whilst Prost does not rule out the prospect of the race returning to Magny-Cours, he appreciates Formula One needs a bigger platform on which it can be staged in France.
"In my opinion it (the event) is not big enough at Magny-Cours," added Prost, now 53.
"France has organised the football World Cup, the rugby World Cup and they wanted to organise the Olympics. It is a country where you can organise this kind of event.
"It is also important for a country to show to the outside world you can keep what in fact was the biggest industry in the country for many years, the automobile industry.
"It would really be a shame to lose such a thing, but it has to be at the right cost also, and people are working hard on that."
Alain Prost believes a grand prix in Paris is the way forward for France to retain its place on the Formula One calendar.
Magny-Cours stages its last race this weekend due to the expiry of a contract F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone does not want to renew.
The Circuit de Nevers' inaccessibility, miles from any big city or airport, makes it unpopular, even if the track itself is a hit with a few of the drivers.
Ecclestone has instead long pitched for the race to be held in, or close to, the centre of Paris, believing such a high-profile venue is in keeping with the image of the sport these days.
Prost, a four-time World Champion in 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1993, is adamant France must do all it can to continue to stage a grand prix.
The race has been an almost permanent fixture since the inception of the World Championship in 1950, with the only exception being in 1955.
"It's important for a country like France to have a grand prix," said Prost, a six-time winner of the race.
"It's not just a race, but an event and it represents a lot for the car industry in general.
"But it's not my decision. In the end it's the economy that decides - Bernie Ecclestone and the manufacturers.
"But what we absolutely have to keep is the historic grands prix in Europe.
"That seems very important to me because I think it would be a mistake to have none.
"Formula One was built here and there are lots of European constructors, so we must keep this identity.
"France is a historic country in that sense, with its constructors, engineers and drivers.
"So we must keep a grand prix, although whether it be in Magny-Cours or around Paris is another discussion.
"It's true it would be easier around Paris because it represents what Formula One wants nowadays in terms of prestige and hotel capacity etc.
"But it won't be for 2009 because it is too early. It would only be for 2010, and then what happens in 2009?
"The questions can only be solved after June."
Whilst Prost does not rule out the prospect of the race returning to Magny-Cours, he appreciates Formula One needs a bigger platform on which it can be staged in France.
"In my opinion it (the event) is not big enough at Magny-Cours," added Prost, now 53.
"France has organised the football World Cup, the rugby World Cup and they wanted to organise the Olympics. It is a country where you can organise this kind of event.
"It is also important for a country to show to the outside world you can keep what in fact was the biggest industry in the country for many years, the automobile industry.
"It would really be a shame to lose such a thing, but it has to be at the right cost also, and people are working hard on that."
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
DNF-car procession-90º turns galore 
