Alain Prost joins board of directors of Renault F1

Four-time F1 world champion and Renault advisor Alain Prost has been appointed as a non-executive director of Renault F1.

Prost replaces Renault Group chief executive officer Thierry Bolloré who took on additional responsibilities recently at the French automotive company following the resignation of former CEO Carlos Ghosn.

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Prost has been associated with Renault since the manufacturer's return to F1 as a works outfit in 2016, first as an Ambassador to the brand and then as an advisor.

In addition to Prost, Renault F1's board of directors includes managing director Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport president Jérôme Stoll, Renault Group financial chief Thierry Cognet and Genii Capital boss Gérard Lopez, who became a minority shareholder of the team when Renault F1 took over Lotus at the end of 2015.

It's unclear if Prost's presence on the board of directors will change his involvement or current duties with the F1 outfit.

Renault described the role of the team's board of directors as "establishing vision, mission and values, setting strategy and structure, delegating to management, exercising accountability to shareholders and being responsible to relevant stakeholders, and taking key decisions for the company such as approval of the annual accounts and financial statements and approval of key contracts with sponsors, partners and drivers."

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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.