Prost to star at Goodwood

Alain Prost will take top billing when he makes his first appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 28-July 1.

The four-time World Champion and more recently ice racing star, drove for Renault, McLaren, Ferrari and Williams in F1 and has been high on the Earl of March’s wish-list for years, but until now been has unable to attend the Festival. Currently a Grand Prix commentator for French television, Prost also oversees the racing career of his son Nicolas as well as competing in the Andros Trophy ice racing series where he is a triple champion. He also contests cycle races – on the Etape du Tour event he inished 42nd out of 5000 riders.

Prost is an ambassador for TAG Heuer, and it is the Swiss watchmaker which has helped facilitate the long-overdue visit. He also represents Renault and will drive up the hillclimb in the RE30 he raced to his maiden F1 victory, the French GP, in 1981. It is thought it will be the irst time he has driven an F1 car on British soil since testing for McLaren at Silverstone in 1995. It is also hoped he will drive a McLaren over the weekend, and Festival organisers are working to display as many of his racing cars as possible.

He will also drive his Dacia Lodgy ice racing car, marking the irst time an Andros Trophy machine has appeared at Goodwood.

Over the Festival weekend the 51-time GP winner will be the subject of a spectacular exhibition of photographs covering his impressive career. Prost’s appearance is expected to draw many fans keen to add a rare autograph to their albums.