Prost failed to find Williams new sponsors

Alain Prost has conceded it will be difficult for the once-great Williams to return to the top in formula one.

The legendary Frenchman won the last of his four world championships with the famous British team, which in 1993 was utterly dominant.

But Williams has not won a single race since 2004, and last year finished the constructors’ standings a woeful ninth, having scored only a handful of points.

"I talk often with Frank Williams," Prost told the Russian website F1News, "and this winter I even tried to help find him some sponsors, but failed.

"It’s difficult for them," he continued, "as when you get yourself into financial problems, it’s so hard to get out of them."

Prost’s own team collapsed in 2001.