In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Lydia Mee, Alain Prost praises Max Verstappen. But the four-time Formula One world champion is disappointed that the Dutchman does not have regular competition.
"Max is one of, if not the very best Formula 1 driver today, we have to accept that. But a championship is worth more to the winning driver when there is a fight between two or three teams," the racing legend stated.
The Frenchman hopes Mercedes and Ferrari can get back into the fight with Red Bull Racing as soon as possible. "Mercedes and Ferrari have a better chance if, like Red Bull, they find a real first driver and focus more on that. It's a pity they don't have that at the moment. Hopefully next year they will, and then we'll get another great fight."
Prost questions Hamilton's move to Ferrari
Prost also commented on Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari. "I can understand that he wants to try something different. Mercedes has been struggling for two years, so I can understand that you seek refuge elsewhere."
Nevertheless, the 69-year-old doubts whether the team change will have the desired effect. "Next year he will be another year older. I wonder if he will be able to find his motivation again. It is possible for a short period, but he has been around an English team for a long time, and the way of working at Ferrari, an Italian team, is different. Hamilton will also be incredibly pressured by the media, it's not easy."
Lewis had more competition. When his car was at its most dominant (2014-2016) he had Rosberg who was highly rated for trashing M Schumacher. Then 2017-2018 he had competition from Ferrari. He fought Vettel for the titles. I'd say only 2020 did Lewis enjoy the same kind of zero competition that Max has had
Well said. He also missed out to the championship in his rookie year by one point despite having Alonso as a teammate.
Max knows nothing about having competitive teammates.
Mate, you talking about 1 year year in 2007 and Lewis is still in F1 - that’s almost 2 decades ago!
That’s his greatest year in F1 up to now!
A competitive teammate pales in comparison to beating the most successful driver in F1 history driving the most dominant car ever and beating him in a car that didn’t even win the CC in 2021!
Button and Rosberg might be WDC’s but they are not great let alone all time great drivers - yet he lost to both of them once.
When mercedes won 8 straight championships, mercedes finished 1 and 2 in the standings 5 times, that's not à lot of compétition. And the only reason Rosberg gave à fight to Lewis in 1996 is because of répétitive mecanics failure. Lewis was still way better than Nico.
So Lewis 1DNF in Malaysia is the reason he lost the WDC to Rosberg in 2016? Over the course of their 3yrs as teammates from 2014 to 2016 Lewis had 7DNF’s to Rosberg’s 6.
So how in the blue hell did Max beat Lewis for the WDC in 2021 having 4DNF’s to Lewis solitary 1DNF?
The gap in terms of natural ability and talent between Rosberg and Lewis is equal to the gap between Lewis and Max.
Hahaha no he didnt! ? Wow...the brutality in thos statement! Classless
HaHa he did. He had Ferrari and BMW in 2008. 2014-2016 he had a competitive teammate. 2017-2018 he had Vettel.
You speak as if Vettel is a great driver, he is not! He is successful but in terms of raw talent, natural ability and skill he is way inferior than Kimi (prime 2002-2008), Alonso, Lewis and Max.
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