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Prost compares fourth Verstappen world championship to Abu Dhabi '21
- Estéban den Toom
Was Max Verstappen's fourth world title in Formula 1 the toughest to win? That was the question put to Alain Prost by L'Équipe after the Dutchman won the world championship for the fourth year in a row. The French four-time world champion in the premier class of motorsport, shares his findings.
"Only he can say that. I don't know exactly what his car was really worth. And then we have to remember how controversial the 2021 title was. It remains very difficult to give an objective analysis on that. To be honest, they both (Hamilton and Verstappen) deserved it over the whole season," Prost said in conversation with the French sports newspaper.
"Max won it in the circumstances we all know. It was his first title, and again, he went out and won it. Winning the first title is always difficult. I remember very well what I said on the night of Abu Dhabi: from now on we are going to see the real Verstappen. And we have seen that since then (he smiles). He has freed himself. He has put his little mistakes and his impatience behind him," said the man with 51 victories in Formula 1.
Prost saw improvements in Verstappen
Things seemed to be going smoothly for Red Bull Racing at the beginning of the season, but as the season progressed, teams like McLaren and Ferrari came closer and closer. Finally, in Las Vegas, Verstappen became world champion for the fourth time in a row. Prost saw considerable improvements in the Dutchman.
"He has become very, very strong. Looking back on this year, he had to fight hard and I think he showed great things. A lot of self-confidence, a lot of calmness. Even if he always grumbles - but he always did - he does it now with less irritation. That is the mark of a more mature champion," Prost concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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