Prost: Terrorist attacks hit our chances

Prost's hoped-for rescue bid from Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal fell through after the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and Pentagon in Washington.

"September 11 ended the possibility of reaching a deal," Prost told British national newspaper The Financial Times.

The Frenchman admitted that time is running out for his team, which needs cash immediately to fund its Ferrari engine deal for 2002.

"We are dealing with people who are taking a very long time and being very cautious," he said. "There is a real problem today, especially when you know that advertising budgets have been cut by 40 percent. Our situation is not very different from that of other teams, except that we are really in need of immediate funding and the timing is very unfavourable."

Prost says he needs around 47 million pounds to compete next season, with 85 percent of that to come from sponsorship deals. He has also criticised the way that revenue from television coverage of Formula 1 does not find its way to the smaller teams, which has a knock-on effect with potential backers.

"The sponsors keep hearing from the media that only the large car makers will make it, so naturally they do not come to us," he said.