Top level talks for troubled Prost

The French engine manufacturer put off an announcement that was scheduled to take place this weekend at the French Grand Prix.

And the car maker has admitted that talks started at the very highest levels last Thursday on the future of the liaison.

Prost's contract with Peugeot runs out at the end of next year and team boss Alain Prost has publicly said he has another option if they part company.

Insiders say the four-time champion is pressuring Peugeot to increase its involvement financially and technically.

And he is said to have asked for a five-year deal.

Peugeot spokesman Corrado Provera, said, 'We have a contract to December 31 in the year 2000.

'There is no need for us to have any discussions but given the importance of our F1 activities it will be obvious that Alain Prost and Mr Saint-Geours, who is President of PSA and Managing Director of Peugeot, would eventually have to start discussions.

'Those discussions began last Thursday: they met together for more than a couple of hours, and they started analysing all the possible solutions.

'They have not yet reached a conclusion. They know they have plenty of time, so what they have have done is to decide not to make a decision.

There is plenty of time to take a deeper look into all the available possibilities. They are looking, on both sides, at the consequences of participation or non-participation.

'The current situation is 'Business As Usual'. As far as I have been told, the atmosphere has been really positive.

'The discussions have taken place in very pleasant circumstances. And they will have to meet again for further discussions.

'It is not a matter of having decided or not decided, or of having points of agreement or disagreement.

'Further discussions will take place, but the conclusion reached on both sides is that there is no need to hurry.'