Alain Prost, a revered name in the annals of Formula 1, has expressed admiration for Max Verstappen’s remarkable dominance in the 2023 season. Prost, known for his own era of supremacy alongside Ayrton Senna at McLaren, watched Verstappen and Red Bull rewrite history with an unprecedented 95.5 percent winning rate – 21 wins out of 22 races.
This feat eclipsed the record Prost and Senna set in 1988, where they claimed victory in all but one race, achieving a 94 percent win rate. Prost’s appreciation for such dominance reflects his deep understanding of the sport’s competitive nature.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, while acknowledging Red Bull’s impressive performance, hopes for a more competitive field in 2024. Speaking to Sky Deutschland at the Abu Dhabi finale, Domenicali highlighted the close qualifying times, with all 20 cars within a second of each other, as a sign of potential for a more evenly matched season where driver skill can shine through.
Prost, a quadruple world champion, viewed the 2023 season through the lens of a fan, detached from team affiliations. He recognized the criticism of a single team and driver’s dominance but chose to see it as a testament to Red Bull and Verstappen’s hard work. “When someone dominates like that, it’s the sum of the work that is necessary that you are seeing. And all you can say is congratulations,” Prost remarked.
On a personal note, Prost found the season impressive, underscoring the need for other teams to elevate their performance to challenge Red Bull’s supremacy. “If you want to get to that level, you have to work better. I understand if it is frustrating at times, but on a personal level I thought it was great.”
Regarding Verstappen, Prost believes the young Dutch driver’s unique blend of dedication, passion, and evolving skill sets him apart. “Max is still very young, but the focus he had on his career from the start and the passion for motorsport are very important,” Prost observed. He highlighted Verstappen’s candid nature and commitment to the sport, factors that contribute to his ongoing success and development as a formidable racer in Formula 1.
