Prost: Renault not unhappy to part ways with Red Bull

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Renault special advisor Alain Prost says the French manufacturer isn't "unhappy" to discontinue its engine partnership with Red Bull after a final contentious season together.

The Red Bull-Renault relationship was a perfect fit before the advent of the hybrid era in Formula 1, the collaboration yielding four drivers' and four constructors' championships between 2010 and 2013.

Tensions emerged in 2015 however when the reliability of the manufacturer's power unit suffered a poor track record.

While things improved thereafter, the partnership was tested once again this season following repetitive failures, and ultimately decided Red Bull to switch its allegiance to Honda for 2019.

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"We were ultimately not unhappy to see them go, you have to be honest," Prost told L'Equipe.

"I keep very good relationships with them, even if I criticize their way of communicating. They always go a step too far, and they know it," added the F1 legend, alluding to the frequent gibes handed out this year by Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.

Prost concedes however that Red Bull will likely remain a front-runner next season, even as it changes its engine supplier.

"Compared to Honda, we're in front for now, but with the same engine the Red Bull was better than us, an indication of the efficiency of their chassis," added the Frenchman.

"There's a significant gap, and it won't be easy to match them next year in this respect. But it's not impossible."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.