Friday June 30th, 2000

Alain Prost said on Friday he was worried about his team's Formula One future and had given himself until the end of July to secure a new engine deal.

But the four times world champion added that, after 20 years of fighting his way through the sport, he was confident he would be able to tough it out.

Prost, the only French team in Formula One, are currently powered by Peugeot engines but, although no official announcement has been made, it has become increasingly clear that the relationship has soured.

"I cannot comment about Peugeot," said Prost, speaking after free practice for Sunday's French Grand Prix.

"Obviously there is a lot of speculation. There's a lot that has been said, a lot of comments, a lot of rumours that are not true, lies. You will see later what happens.

"But for me I know I have to find a new engine next year and I'm working on that.

"I always said that I hoped we would find an engine in April or May and if that didn't happen we have until the end of July because we have a second plan for the new car. So I will tell you more or less by the end of July."

He gave no more details about the "second plan".

Prost's search for an engine has taken him to Ferrari, a former team who fired him as a driver for comparing their car to a truck, and also the Renault-based Supertec and Japan's Mugen-Honda, who power Jordan at present.

Mercedes, the force behind the McLaren team of world champion Mika Hakkinen, have also publicly rejected his advances despite his young German driver Nick Heidfeld being under contract to that team.

Unreliable Car

Prost admitted that the strain of finding a new power-plant as well as trying to improve a struggling and unreliable car, which has failed to bring the team a point in eight races this season, had been tough to handle.

"If I was not worried in this situation I would be crazy," he said. "When you see all the big constructors involved in Formula One and in July I don't have an engine signed...then it is not easy.

"But I have faced so many different situations in Formula One in my career as a racing driver that I can handle this one I think," said Prost, who won three of his titles with McLaren and the other with Williams.

He was more positive about his car, saying an evolution of the Peugeot engine looked promising at last and would be used in Saturday's qualifying session.

"It's getting better and better," he said. "As soon as the reliability gets better we can develop the car."