Economy and results hurt Prost

That is the claim the team is making following the announcement that team boss Alain Prost has six months to raise capital to stop his company going into liquidation.

In a statement, the team explained why it finds itself in such a situation. "During its first three years of activity, Prost Grand Prix showed positive [financial] results in the first two, and was close to break even in the third," it read. "The unfavourable general economic context of 2001, added to the relatively poor results of the team during the 2000 season, had a severe impact on the company's budget balance."

With Ferrari engines powering the team's cars this year, Jean Alesi was able to score four points before defecting to Jordan. The upturn in form has given Prost Grand Prix confidence that it will win its race to make it on to the grid for the start of the new season. The team claims it is pushing on with building the new AP05 chassis.

"The significant improvement in the team's sports results in 2001, plus the support of several partners and sponsors, as well as Ferrari's trust, allow Prost Grand Prix to already count on a significant part of its 2002 operating budget," the statement said.