Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Alain Prost has expressed that he is undervalued compared to other drivers. Prost achieved back-to-back championships with McLaren in 1985 and ’86, and continued his success with the team in 1989. He later secured his fourth title with Williams in 1993 after taking a year-long break in 1992. Prost’s retirement followed the 1993 season, during which his long-time rival Ayrton Senna replaced him at Williams. Known as ‘The Professor’ due to his strategic approach to racing, Prost is ranked joint fourth in terms of F1 titles and fifth in Grand Prix victories. Despite his achievements, Prost believes that unfavorable comparisons to Senna have overshadowed his overall career. He acknowledges that he is underrated and that this perception seems to be ingrained in history. Prost points out that his former teammates, including John Watson, Rene Arnoux, Eddie Cheever, Niki Lauda, Keke Rosberg, Stefan Johansson, Nigel Mansell, Jean Alesi, and Damon Hill, are not given the same level of recognition. He finds it unfortunate but accepts that it is the reality. Prost notes that the rise of social media has led to a resurgence of interest in videos showcasing their battles on the track. He emphasizes that his career spanned more than just a few years.
Prost and Senna were teammates at McLaren in 1988 and ’89, with Senna emerging as the champion in their first season together. Prost, however, claimed victory in a controversial Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka the following year. Had it not been for Senna’s actions in the season finale at Adelaide, Prost would likely have secured the title. In 1990, Prost left the tense atmosphere at McLaren and joined Ferrari, but lost the championship after Senna deliberately caused a collision between them at Suzuka. Prost admits that Senna generally outperformed him in qualifying sessions, but he firmly believes that he was faster during races. Prost recalls being impressed by Senna’s qualifying performance, although he cannot recall specific instances, but he asserts that in race conditions, he was consistently quicker.