Prost swaps Mazzacane for Burti.

Prost Grand Prix announced today that, following an agreement with Jaguar Racing, Luciano Burti will join the French team as official driver, alongside Jean Alesi, for the remainder of the 2001 season.

This step was taken after current Prost Acer driver Gaston Mazzacane and Prost Grand Prix agreed that the Argentinian driver would no longer compete with the team.

Brazilian Burti, who has been competing with Jaguar Racing since the beginning of the season, has been released from his duties and was expected to join the Prost-Acer team today at the Silverstone circuit to test the AP04 in preparation for the Barcelona Grand Prix, the first race with his new team.

"It was a well-timed series of events," Prost Grand Prix president Alain Prost said, "As soon as it was clear Gaston was no longer driving for us, it was evident to us that Luciano Burti would be a good replacement and negotiations were done quite quickly.

"Luciano has already shown good potential so far this season and I am sure that, as the AP04 will develop in the races to come, he will be given all the means to prove himself and to be a competitive team mate with Jean Alesi.

"Furthermore, the choice of Brazilian Burti fits one of our marketing strategies - to focus on South America, where we have many interests and opportunities, thanks to our partners PSN and Pedro Diniz.

"Prost Grand Prix team thanks Gaston Mazzacane for his commitment and support and wishes him all the best for his future."