Four-time Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost talks about four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen: “I still remember how I predicted a great career for him in 2016. He didn’t disappoint me.”
Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive world title in Las Vegas 2024. Another four-time champion, Alain Prost, has been very impressed. In L’Équipe, the 69-year-old Frenchman says: “I’m happy to be with such good people. There are only three of us with four titles, but I remember when Michael Schumacher won four titles and then Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. Before us all is the great Fangio. Being a four-time world champion is something Max can be proud of.”
Prost – champion in 1985/1986/1989 with McLaren and 1993 with Williams – continues: “Sometimes, like me in 1986, you need a bit of luck. But you also have to create opportunities for yourself and then take them. Max was never given anything.”
“I still remember how I was commenting on Canal+ in 2016, when Verstappen won the Grand Prix for the first time, and predicted a bright future for him. He did not disappoint me.”
Prost, who won 51 times in 199 World Cup appearances, praises: “What Max has already achieved at the age of 27 is amazing. Verstappen is clearly special. He is not just anyone in terms of his personality, his character and his dedication. You can love him or hate him, but he will definitely not leave you regardless, like most champions.”
“In the beginning Max had a lot in common with Ayrton Senna, especially in his early career. Max is free and does his own thing, that’s what makes him unique. He went his own way. That’s something I really admire about him. On the track he’s always respected, he drives diligently but not unjustly. And even if he is punished, he accepts.”
How does Prost see Max Verstappen’s future? “When I decided to leave Formula 1 in 1993, I didn’t need any records, I just wanted to have fun. Maybe it’s the same with Max. No driver can plan his title victory. Max Verstappen will definitely be remembered as one of the greatest legends in motorsport.”
Las Vegas-GP, USA
01. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:22:05,969 h
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +7,313 sec
03. Carlos Sainz (L), Ferrari, +11,906
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +14,283
05. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, +16,582
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +43.385
07. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +51.365
08. Nico Hulkenberg (D), Haas, +59.808
09. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bull, +1:02,808 minutes
10. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +1:03,114
11. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +1:09.195
12. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1:09.803
13. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1:14,085
14. Franco Colapinto (RA), Williams, +1:15.172
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:24,102
16. Liam Lawson (NZ), Racing Bulls, +1:31,005
17. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +19,477, +1 Runde
18. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +1 Runde
outside
Alex Albon (T), Williams, engine failure
Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, engine fire
World Championship Standings (after 22 out of 24 Grands Prix and 5 out of 6 Sprints)
the driver
01. Verstappen 403 points
02. Norris 340
03. Leclerc 319
04. Plate 268
05. Sainz 259
06. Russell 217
07. Hamilton 208
08. Perez 152
09. Alonso 62
10. Hulkenberg 35
11. Tsunoda 30
12. Gas 26
13. Walk 24
14. Ocon 23
15. Magnussen 14
16. Albon 12
17. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 12
18. Oliver Bearman (GB) 7
19. Colapinto 5
20. Lawson 4
21. Zhou 0
22. Logan Sargeant (USA) 0
23. Bota 0
Builders Cup
01. McLaren 608 points
02. Ferrari 584
03. Red Bull 555 Racing
04. Mercedes 425
05. Aston Martin 86
06. Haas 50
07. Alpine 49
08. Racing Bull 46
09. Williams 17
10. Sauber 0
