Prost Worries For Alesi Friendship.

Alain Prost has admitted that he fears losing the friendship of new driver Jean Alesi next season, but insists he has signed him for his driving ability.


Prost, who once partnered the fiery Alesi at Ferrari, told the Thursday press conference at Spa that he is concerned that his compatriot's volatile nature may cause a rift between them if next season's car fails to perform. Alesi quit Sauber to join Prost's eponymous team after criticising the way the Swiss team has run this year.


"We have talked very much over the last few years about the possibility - one day - of [Jean] driving for my team," Prost revealed, "but when you talk about work and the team, you put friendship aside. Only when the [technical] discussion is finished can you be friends.


"It was difficult for me to make the decision [to take Jean on as a driver] because I do not want to break a friendship. To have friendships is a very important part of life - and I don't want to lose that.


"But work is work - when Jean talks about the car and technical things he is very professional - maybe more professional than many people outside the team may think. In those circumstances, I think it may help our friendship to be closer as part of our work."


Alesi admitted that he great respect for Prost - both as a driver and as a friend - but said that he would only see the three-times champion as his employer next season.


"It's not a matter of a boss-friend relationship," he shrugged, "Alain is the boss and that's it. When you have to work, I work, but it will be nice to work alongside him."