Wednesday April 12th, 2000

As a driver four-time world champion, Alain Prost was known as 'The Professor' because of his studious approach to Formula One. As a team owner, after little more than two years in business, he is struggling to register his first victory.

Last Sunday at the San Marino Grand Prix, Prost, 45, saw both his cars fail to finish on a circuit where he won three times.

Both cars also failed to show competitive form in a race that highlighted their difficulties and the team's lack of reliability.

"I know we can only improve," said Prost. "The big problem is that we were very late with our new car programme for this season, so these difficulties are not a great surprise.

"Under these circumstances, it is very difficult to catch up and we have had a lot of reliability problems. In our private testing sessions we can usually manage only 20 laps or so.

"That puts a lot of pressure on us on race weekends. Once we have reliability - and it is getting better - we know we can get going in the right direction."

The Prost team suffered an early setback this year when the new Peugeot V10 power-unit was delayed.

"These delays, especially with the engine, have been our biggest problems but I don't want to blame anybody. We just have to catch up," said Prost.

Since taking charge of the team after buying the former Ligier outfit, Prost - winner of a record 51 Grands Prix - has put the accent on intense preparation.

He remains the consumate professional while chewing his nails with anxiety and furrowing his brow. Yet instead of tasting champagne on the podium, he is having to face increasing media scepticism.

Last winter, he rang the changes by bringing in his former Ferrari team mate and fellow Frenchman Jean Alesi, the most experienced driver in the sport, to partner new boy German Nick Heidfeld.

So far, Heidfeld has registered one finish in three races, coming ninth in Australia, while Alesi has yet to finish.

"It is very frustrating for me," said Alesi. "We have had such a difficult start to the season.

"But we have to keep working. I am sorry for the team as they put in so much effort."

The team began its build-up for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this week by making reliability a priority for a race that will hold fond memories for Prost. He won it five times.

But next week he will be satisfied if his two blue cars, carrying the colours of France, can just complete the distance.

That would give him something to build on as Prost the racing team attempts to emulate the success enjoyed by Prost the driver.