The day a big dream came crashing down for Alain Prost

On this day in 2001, a French court in Versailles placed the beleaguered Prost Grand Prix outfit into receivership, a decision that shattered the dream of its illustrious founder Alain Prost.

For five years, the four-time world champion had held on to his hopes of winning in F1 as a team owner after enjoying 51 wins as a driver.

Saddled with a mountain of debt, the French team - born on the foundation of the former Ligier squad - was monitored by a judge as it vowed to fight on. But during the receivership period, Prost failed to secure the capital necessary to sustain the team's presence on the grid.

Prost GP eventually folded on the eve of the 2002 season.

Seen hereabove is German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen at the wheel of Prost's pretty AP04 racing on to 12th in the Japanese GP at Suzuka, the final race of the 2001 season and the team's swansong Grand Prix.