'Mood swings and bold claims' hurting Ferrari, says Prost

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Four-time world champion and former Scuderia driver Alain Prost believes Ferrari should tone down its claims and forecasts which have only set the team up for disappointment.

Early last year, the House of Maranello made some bold predictions of race wins and the title, only to endure a winless season with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

At the end of the year, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone insisted that part of Ferrari's problem is the fact that it relies on too many Italians, but Prost offered some nuance.

"What Bernie said was harsh," the F1 legend told Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

"I was there for two years: one was beautiful, the other terrible. What I can say is that winning in such a competitive environment as F1 requires more linear behaviour, with less mood swings".

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Prost therefore urged Ferrari to be a bit more conservative when it comes to offering guidance for the season ahead.

"Words should be used more carefully. It is clear that if you promise to win the championship, then it becomes difficult to remain calm when things go wrong."

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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.