Prost bullish over Brazil chances

"Interlagos is a circuit we have enjoyed since the debut of our team," claimed team principle Prost. "We have always been able to deliver good performances," he went on, alluding to the point scored there last year, and Olivier Panis's podium placing in 1997.

The team flew a Prost-Peugeot straight from the race in Australia to a test at Silverstone to attack reliability problems that led to Jean Alesi's retirement.

However, it appears that the team has not yet entirely got on top of electronic glitches that has prevented the team working on pace and handling thus far.

"As Silverstone proved, there is still a concern about the electronics," admitted technical boss Alan Jenkins. At the recent Silverstone test, Alesi's running was hampered by electronic gremlins, though the team claims good work was completed in spite of this.

"However, the fact that Nick Heidfeld finished the race in Australia is a proof that the basic reliability of the car is good," Jenkins continued. "In terms of performance, the limited test miles made difficult our development programme."

Nevertheless, the team is keen to assert itself nearer the head of the field than it has been of late. "We have all been working very hard at Prost," said Jenkins, "and Brazil will see the introduction of both aerodynamic and mechanical improvements."