Tomorrow: Court's Decision on Prost's Fate

Prost's Formula One future, in doubt because of financial problems, will be decided by a French court on Monday.

Versailles' commercial court will meet at 15:30 GMT to seal the fate of the French constructor, who went into receivership on November 22 with debts estimated at $28 million.

Team principal and four times World Champion Alain Prost did not sound too optimistic in comments to the press last week.

"We don't have all the guarantees to continue in the best conditions. We must not go back into the same mess," he said.

Prost was hoping last-minute investors could provide the necessary financial guarantees for the court to give Prost the go-ahead to compete next season.

The Formula One World Championship starts on March 3 in Melbourne and Prost Grand Prix have yet to confirm the names of their drivers should they continue.

Lawyer Franck Michel, the administrator in charge of the Prost case, told journalists the French team were close to a solution but also close to bankruptcy.

"The first Grand Prix is very close and we must go very quickly," he said.

Recent media reports have focused on a group of Italian businessmen, introduced to Prost by former Ferrari and Ligier boss Cesare Fiorio, who are willing to invest in the team.