Prost’s Warning: Consistency Will Rule F1 in 2025

Alain Prost reveals why Max Verstappen mirrors Niki Lauda’s approach and stresses that consistency will be vital in F1’s 2025 season.

Alain Prost has shared his status as a four-time F1 world champion with Sebastian Vettel for over a decade now.

Since the end of the 2024 season, however, Max Verstappen has also joined the club of four-time title holders, with only Fangio, Schumacher, and Hamilton having more.

Asked by RMC Motori about possible comparisons between himself, Vettel, and Verstappen, and how he would feel if Verstappen matched Fangio as a five-time world champion, the Frenchman described it as a natural progression.

“It’s normal when it’s someone like him, a very fast driver who, from his first laps on the track, showed he had something extra.”

“He’s a great champion. He’s proven he’s the best, so sharing four titles with someone like him doesn’t bother me. In fact, I’m sure he can surpass me, and in the coming years, he certainly will.”

Gerhard Berger had stated that Verstappen’s working style was similar to Niki Lauda’s—direct and no-nonsense. Does Prost agree?

“I never want to compare drivers of the past with those of today, let’s be clear. Max is like Niki in terms of direct communication, there’s no doubt. When you asked Lauda something, the answer was always honest. Verstappen is a very impactful guy, as the English would say. His words have weight. I can’t judge beyond that.”

Did he enjoy 2024? What does he expect for 2025, with 24 races still on the calendar?

“It was a very long championship. We saw it split into two or three phases, starting with Verstappen’s dominance, then McLaren’s comeback, and Ferrari’s victories. The constructors’ title finale was very interesting.”

“In 2025, consistency will be key, making as few mistakes as possible and being as productive as possible. But with a 24-race season, maintaining high concentration and performance won’t be easy.”

“24 Grands Prix is still too many for me. Even 17 or 18 races felt like too much,” he adds.

“Of course, someone might say that, in addition to races, we had many test days on the track, but I’ve always had the same view: I prefer track test days to today’s excessive number of races, especially for young drivers who can learn without relying on simulators and for sponsors who have more time during test days rather than being limited to this packed race schedule.”

Is the simulator an issue today?

“It’s a different type of work. I can’t judge because I grew up in a different era, but this is how things are now, and I can’t change that.”

The winter saw the release of a documentary on him by Canal+, as well as one about Ayrton Senna, leaning more toward fiction. Prost admits he didn’t like how Senna’s story was handled.

“I’m sure Ayrton wouldn’t like any of this, especially because it shows a lack of sensitivity. It’s a beautiful story, and you shouldn’t tell things that aren’t true like that, out of nowhere. If you’re doing something commercial, it’s not right to do it under Senna’s name. I don’t like it, and I won’t accept it.”