Prost reveals doubts over future

Prost Grand Prix went into receivership in November and has six months under French law to find a buyer and avoid liquidation. But the four-time world champion has a self-imposed a deadline of January 14 to secure a rescue package to pay off debts of 19 million pounds. He feels that if the team's uncertainty goes beyond that date, it will be unable to prepare to race with any conviction in 2002.

"If, by January 14, I have found no partners, it will very likely mean the liquidation of Prost Grand Prix," he told French newspaper Les Echos.

Prost's optimism of finding a backer is waning, according to the interview.

"Two or three projects seemed very serious," he said. "We pressed forward with one and thought we would sign a deal. But in the end we realised that the partner would not bring financial security for the firm."

A Saudi prince and Canadian group Vector have been linked to possible rescue bids, but they appear to have come to nothing so far.