Prost AP03

The Prost AP03 was the car with which the Prost Formula One team competed in the 2000 Formula One season. It was driven by the experienced Jean Alesi, team boss Alain Prost's ex-Ferrari teammate, and reigning Formula 3000 champion Nick Heidfeld.

Prost AP03
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorProst
Designer(s)Alan Jenkins (Technical Director)
Jean-Paul Gousset (Chief Designer)
Loïc Bigois (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorAP02
SuccessorAP04
Technical specifications
ChassisMoulded carbon-fibre composite structure
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrod
EnginePeugeot A20, 3.0-litre 72-degree V10
TransmissionProst/Xtrac seven-speed longitudinal semi-automatic
Power800 hp @ 16,200 rpm[1]
FuelTotal
TyresBridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsGauloises Prost Peuegot
Notable drivers14. Jean Alesi
15. Nick Heidfeld
Debut2000 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
17000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

This was the last Formula One car to use Peugeot engines before the company withdrew from the sport. The engine technology itself however was bought by Asiatech and used for another two years, namely with Arrows in 2001 and with Minardi in 2002.

Although the AP03 was designed to become a Grand Prix-winning contender, the year proved to be a disaster for the team. The cars were slow and unreliable, the team's relationship with Peugeot fell apart and the sponsors departed at the end of the season. The team ended up scoring no points, and were classified last in the Constructors' Championship behind Minardi, due to the Italian team's better finishing record.[2]

The problems became apparent during pre-season testing. Nick Heidfeld could not get a handle on the car and reliability was poor. During the season itself, both drivers complained of inconsistent handling and lack of traction[3] Technical Director Alan Jenkins was fired after the Monaco race.[4]

Prost blamed the apparently weak engine as the root cause of the AP03's uncompetitive performance. However, Peugeot retaliated with an uncharacteristic public revelation of the engine's output of 792 bhp, which was considered to be competitive at the time. Prost's criticism of Peugeot soured their relationship and combined with the lack of results, the latter withdrew from F1 as an engine supplier.[5]

Alesi and Heidfeld were unable to make much of an impression, but the Frenchman managed to qualify eighth at Monaco and run fourth at Spa-Francorchamps before retiring. A poor pitstop in France was caught by the TV cameras with a visibly distraught Alain Prost shaking his head in despair. The teammates also collided on more than one occasion, most notably in Austria.[6]

Prost used 'Gauloises' logos, except at the British and French Grands Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
2000 Prost Peugeot V10 B AUS BRA SMR GBR ESP EUR MON CAN FRA AUT GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN MAL 0 NC
Jean Alesi Ret Ret Ret 10 Ret 9 Ret Ret 14 Ret Ret Ret Ret 12 Ret Ret 11
Nick Heidfeld 9 Ret Ret Ret 16 EX 8 Ret 12 Ret 12† Ret Ret Ret 9 Ret Ret

References
  1. "Engine Peugeot". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  2. Francis, Damian Nicholas (27 January 2001). "Reject Cars - Prost Peugeot AP03". F1 Rejects. Archived from the original on 17 August 2004. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  3. Hynes, Justin. "The Chasing Pack". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. "Prost, Alan Jenkins part ways". us.motorsport.com. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  5. "Analysis: Prost's setup for miserable millennium". 24 June 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  6. "Austrian GP, 2000". www.grandprix.com. Retrieved 26 January 2020.


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