In the previous article we talked about the Three time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda and now in this article we will talk about the Four time World Champion Alain Prost and it can be safely said that he is in the Top 5 Greatest drivers Formula 1 has ever seen and the enormous impact that he has had on this sport will never be forgotten and If there was no Michael Schumacher or Lewis Hamilton then he would have been called ax the greatest ever but Top 5 in this sport is not had Considering how many drivers have taken part in it.
Alain Prost is one of the most influential drivers in the history of Formula 1 and he made driving look easy when it most certainly is not and he had a charm and a great personality which attracted many fans towards him and he was the best driver without a question in the 80s and the 90s and he has inspired so many young aspiring F1 Drivers who saw him as their hero and someone they would like to emulate in this sport and more than all his titles and records the impact that he has left in many young minds will be his greatest legacy. Now let’s look at the profile and the Formula 1 career of truly one of the greatest ever.
Alain Prost Profile
Before we talk about the incredible career of the great Alain Prost let’s talk about him first. His full name was Alain Marie Pascal Prost and he was born on 24th February 1955 and it looks like February is a great month to be a F1 driver. He was a superstar in Formula 1 and took the sport to new heights and all those who came after him were trying to follow in the footsteps of one of the best ever and there were a few who managed to surpass the great Alain Prost and no one more than him would be happier to see this. Our hope is he lives long and has a healthy life and enjoys watching Formula 1 and celebrates his great career.
Alain Prost Formula 1 Career
Nationality | France |
Active Years | 1980-1991 and 1993 |
Teams | McClaren, Renault, Ferrari, Williams |
Entries | 202 (199 Starts) |
Championships | 4 Titles (1985,1986,1989,1993) |
Wins | 51 |
Podiums | 106 |
Career points | 798.5 points |
Pole position | 33 |
Fastest laps | 41 |
First entry | 1980 Argentine Grand Prix |
First win | 1981 French Grand Prix |
Last win | 1993 German Grand Prix |
Last entry | 1993 Australian Grand Prix |
Early Life
Alain Prost was born in France and his father ran a furniture store. Alain Prost was an athletic child as he was into various sports such as wrestling, football and roller skating. When he was 14 he was on a trip with family and that is where he discovered Go Karting and his life changed forever. When he was 16, he brought his first Go Kart and his journey started. In 1974, Alain Prost became a full time racer and in 1975 he won the French Senior Karting Championship. In 1977, he won the Formula Renault European Championship and in 1978 he won the French Formula 3 Championship. In 1979, McClaren offered Alain Prost a spot in Formula 1 but he declined as he wanted to be fully prepared for Formula 1
.
1980 Start with Mclaren
He started his Formula 1 with Mclaren and he was one of the better young drivers in the circuit. Alain Prost was one of the few drivers who scored a point in their first race. And even though he finished 15th that year the potential that he had was clearly visible and it would come to fruition in the next decade plus. He joined Renault in 1981 and after that he just kept winning and no one was close. Alain Prost won his first Grand Prix in 1981 at the French Grand Prix. He won 2 more races in 1981 and he finished 5th in the Drivers Championship. In the 1982 season Alain Prost finished 4th which was a one place improvement. In the 1983 season Alain Prost finished 2nd in the Drivers Championship which was his best performance so far. After his first Grand Prix victory his mindset changed because he told himself that “Before you thought you could do it and now you know you can”. During his time in Renault he became a much better driver and was consistently finishing in the Top 5 and everyone knew that he was only time away from winning his first World Championship and that came true in the years to come.
The Unstoppable Run
He rejoined Mclaren in 1984 and in that season he came half a point before his legendary teammate Niki Lauda who won the World Title that year. Alain Prost won 7 races in the 1984 season which was a record at that time. Alain Prost won his first Formula 1 World Championship in 1985 where he won 5 out of the 16 races. Following that it was the era of Alain Prost as the following two years no one was close to him as he won 2 back to back World Championships and cemented his legacy as the best ever at that time and he was not finished with 2 as he would get one more in 1989 with Mclaren. In 1989 Alain Prost won his 3rd World Championship with Mclaren. He then went to Ferrari from 1990-1991 but he was not as successful.
Final hurrah in 1993
After taking a break in 1992 because he maybe was bored by winning so he thought let someone else win it this year and the next year in 1993 he returned with Williams and it was business as usual again as he won yet another World Championship to make it 4 titles in his career and he could sign off in style as only he would know how to do. Williams had the best car in 1993 and Alain Prost decided that after winning the title in 1993 he would retire from Formula 1.
Post Racing Life
Alain Prost worked as an Expert for TF1 which was a French TV channel from 1994-95. He also worked for Renault as he handled public relations. In 2010 Alain Prost was the first Formula 1 driver who was a part of the stewards panel for Formula 1 races.
