Prost to Reveal Plans for New Era this Week

Boosted by an encouraging performance at Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, Alain Prost is expected to announce plans to revive his flagging Formula One team this week.

Brazilian driver Pedro Diniz, backed by an attractive budget supplied by his sponsors, is expected to replace German Nick Heidfeld who on Monday confirmed his move to Sauber next season.

Diniz is expected to partner experienced Frenchman Jean Alesi at Prost, who have yet to score a point this season.

Prost has been talking to several interested parties about re-financing the team in recent weeks.

Formula One sources say he may be prepared to sell a large holding in the team but that he wishes to remain in control -- and the signing of Diniz, the son of one of the wealthiest men in Brazil, will assist him in that aim.

Prost's partnership with engine suppliers Peugeot ends this season, and despite speculation linking him with a supply of Ferrari engines, the team's future suppliers remain unknown.

Heidfeld has signed a three-year contract with Sauber, whose team chief Peter Sauber missed the Spa-Francorchamps race as he was recovering from surgery on a shoulder injury.

Alesi, who climbed from 17th on the grid to run fifth in Sunday's race before retiring with fuel problems, is expected to remain with the team.

At 36, the veteran of 179 Grands Prix showed he retains the elan and aggression to make a strong contribution to the team's development and future.

"It was a good race while it lasted for me," said Alesi. "I hope it has given everyone a dose of oxygen." Heidfeld retired after an engine failure, the latest example of the team's poor reliability this season.

"We showed what we can do," said Prost, the four-times drivers' champion who began his career as a team chief by taking over the ailing Ligier outfit in 1997.