Only three drivers in Formula 1’s 75-year history have been more successful than Alain Prost.
In 2024, Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel were joined by Max Verstappen on four world championships.
Prost and Vettel have now retired, but Verstappen still has years ahead of him to try and chase down Juan Manuel Fangio (five titles), Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (seven titles each).
The records are quickly tumbling for the Red Bull star, although he may have his work cut out if he wants to match Schumacher’s five consecutive championships, with McLaren and Ferrari likely to have a small advantage going into the 2025 season.
Big changes have been predicted for Verstappen this year and rumours are constantly circling around his future.
Aston Martin have been linked with signing Verstappen, but while Red Bull are still competitive, he’s unlikely to be going anywhere.
Verstappen has received an appropriate amount of praise for a driver who has been at the top of the drivers’ championship since the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix.
However, when Prost begins to sing the praises of Verstappen, the Dutchman may just take notice.
In an interview with RMC Motori, the legendary Frenchman compared Verstappen to one of his greatest rivals.
Alain Prost says Red Bull star Max Verstappen reminds him of Niki Lauda
Prost was asked about Verstappen matching his championship record and said: “Well it’s normal when it’s someone like him, a very fast driver who from the very first laps has shown he has something extra.
“A great champion, he has shown he is the best, so sharing four titles with someone like him doesn’t create any problems for me, in fact, I am sure he will be able to surpass me and will definitely do so in the coming years.
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“I never want to talk about or compare the drivers of yesterday with those of today, let me be clear.
“Max is like Niki in terms of being direct, no doubt about that.
“When you asked Lauda something, the answer was always honest.
“Verstappen is a real catch, as the English say, he makes an impression with what he says.”
How Niki Lauda and Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 careers compare
Niki Lauda had a remarkable career in Formula 1, both on the track and behind the scenes at various teams.
Mercedes still pay tribute to Lauda during race weekends after he played a crucial role in their period of dominance with Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas in the car.
Lauda made his F1 debut in 1971 with March but first rose to prominence when he was signed by Ferrari in 1974.
He won the first of his three championships the following year, achieving his other titles in 1976 and 1984 after moving to McLaren.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton told to take inspiration from his hero Niki Lauda in Ferrari battle with Charles Leclerc
Verstappen already manages his sim racing team and has shown an interest in life away from driving in Formula 1, something Lauda went on to do after he retired.
He managed the Jaguar F1 team before they were taken over by Red Bull and managed several airline projects.
| Max Verstappen | Niki Lauda | |
| Grand Prix starts | 209 | 171 |
| Pole Positions | 40 | 24 |
| Podiums | 112 | 54 |
| Wins | 63 | 25 |
| Championships | 4 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) | 3 (1975, 1977, 1984) |
Prost admitted that Lauda was the only driver he was happy to be number two alongside during his time in Formula 1, highlighting how highly he thinks of Verstappen.
Lauda is best remembered by younger Formula 1 fans for his relationship with Hamilton, and while it’s yet to be seen whether Verstappen will end up playing a similar mentor role in later life, their outspoken approach to racing makes them very similar.
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