Prost AP04
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| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
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| Constructor | Prost | ||||||||
| Designer(s) |
Henri Durand John Barnard |
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| Predecessor | AP03 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon-fibre monocoque | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | torsion bars, dampers | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | torsion bars, dampers | ||||||||
| Engine | Acer-badged Ferrari V10 (90°) naturally aspirated | ||||||||
| Transmission | Ferrari 7-speed titanium and carbon longitudinal semi-automatic sequential | ||||||||
| Fuel | Shell | ||||||||
| Tyres | Michelin | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Prost Acer | ||||||||
| Notable drivers | 22.  Jean Alesi22.  Heinz-Harald Frentzen23.  Gastón Mazzacane23.  Luciano Burti23.  Tomáš Enge
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| Debut | 2001 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||
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| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
The Prost AP04 was the car with which the Prost team competed in the 2001 Formula One season. It was initially driven by the experienced Jean Alesi, who was in his second year with the team, and Gastón Mazzacane, who brought valuable PSN sponsorship from Minardi after almost all the sponsors are gone, including title sponsor Gauloises, putting the team into serious financial problems. Eventually, Acer became the team's new title sponsors for the season.
For Prost, 2001 was a season of struggle as Alain Prost struggled to keep the team going. Initially, things looked quite promising after the catastrophic 2000 season, with the Diniz family becoming shareholders and bringing Parmalat sponsorship to the team. The AP04 also used a Ferrari engine and transmission, although the former was badged as an Acer in deference to the team's title sponsor. Prost was also one of several teams to opt for the new Michelin tyres on the French company's return to the sport. Alesi set fast times in winter testing, and the car appeared to show capable speed.
However, the team were mired in the midfield once the season began, fueling the speculation that the team had run an illegally fast car to attract sponsors. However, the cars were much more reliable than the previous distratrous AP03, Alesi finishing all 12 races he had with the team. In the process he scored four precious points, he fell out of favour to team principal Alain Prost and left the team for Jordan after the German GP to replace the sacked Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The German took over Alesi's role as team leader, but could not add to the points tally.
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Wikipedia