Prost 'proud' to be equal with Verstappen: 'Max is very special'

Prost: 'I'm in good company'

In an extensive interview with French magazine L'Equippe, Prost - a former driver of McLaren, Ferrari, Williams, and others - believes Verstappen is the well-deserved 2024 champion and that he more than deserves to be among F1's all-time greats. "I am happy to be in such good company," Prost revealed. "Because there are only three of us with four titles, but I remember when Michael Schumacher joined me and when Lewis Hamilton came through. I won't forget that Juan Manuel Fangio was the first driver with four titles," said the Frenchman.

"Being a four-time world champion is something to be proud of. And Max can be proud of that when he looks back on his career. He hasn't stolen any of his titles. You can have a bit of luck, like I did in 1986, but you have to know how to secure it," Prost added.

Prost dishes out the praise

Verstappen, according to Prost, has all the elements you need to become world champion in Formula 1. "There is nothing missing from Max. I remember commentating for Canal+ in 2016, when he first won, promising him a bright future and a big prize list. He has not disappointed me."

"What he has already achieved is really amazing. Verstappen is clearly something special. He is not just anyone, in terms of personality, character and commitment. You can love him or hate him, but he certainly doesn't leave you indifferent. He is A-typical, like many great champions," Prost concluded about Verstappen.

Can Verstappen move above Prost with a fifth title?

After Prost won the world title with Williams in 1993, he - like Nico Rosberg in 2016 - decided to quit Formula 1 immediately. Verstappen still has a contract at Red Bull until 2028, which means he still has some time to move ahead of the Frenchman. But that, according to Prost himself, cannot be predicted.

"When I decided to quit F1 at the end of the season in August 1993, I didn't tell myself I needed other records. I just wanted to enjoy it. It's probably the same for Max. No driver can plan his titles. It's far too random. You can eventually win a championship, though, as he has done very well this year."

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton