F1 champion questions ‘value’ of Verstappen’s titles
F1 champion questions ‘value’ of Verstappen’s titles
A Formula 1 legend has weighed in on Max Verstappen's recent dominance, and the impact it has on the sport's excitement.
Since regulation changes in 2022, Verstappen and Red Bull have been nearly unbeatable. The Dutchman's first championship win in 2021, though controversial due to Michael Masi's late-race call, marked his arrival at the top.
READ MORE: Driver suggests Newey tempted by 'enticing' offer from F1 rivals
2022 saw Red Bull secure their first constructors' title in nearly a decade, and Verstappen claimed his second championship with 15 wins from 22 races, 146 points clear of his nearest rival, Charles Leclerc, in the standings.
But 2023 was Verstappen's most dominant year yet, as he shattered records by winning a staggering 19 out of 22 races on his way to securing his third consecutive title.
The reigning champion also finished the season with a record 21 podium finishes and an impressive 575 points, more than double the points of his closest rival and team-mate, Sergio Perez - a feat that has never been achieved before in the history of the sport.
This year seems similar, with Red Bull currently leading the pack. However, a recent comment from a legendary figure in the sport has cast a shadow of debate over these victories.
READ MORE: Hamilton WARNED by Ferrari chief over performance levels
Alain Prost opens up on Verstappen's dominance
This isn't the first time F1 has witnessed a dominant driver-team combination. But the landscape of the sport has changed significantly since the days of epic rivalries.
Four-time world champion Alain Prost, who is known for his legendary battles with Ayrton Senna, has spoken out about the current state of competition.
Asked by Sports Illustrated if he feels Verstappen's dominance is impacting the sport for fans, the F1 legend said:
"It's different. I mean the fight with Ayrton [Senna] was also because we were team-mates for two years and our rivalry went after our team-mate period, so it's very different.
"Today, the big teams are organized a little bit more like a number one driver, number two, especially with Max [Verstappen], for example, at Red Bull. So, it's a little bit different.
"But I still think that if you have a fight for a championship with two or three different teams, the value of the winning driver is always better. But, it's always a difficult thing because, for example, Max is one of the best drivers today. Maybe the best, you have to accept that.
"If you look at the perception that people can have - he’s winning because of this car, so in fact, it’s not as good for himself, which is a shame because I think he's really part of the success.
"But the big teams like Ferrari, like Mercedes, like Red Bull obviously, they are going to be more organized and have more chance to win if they have a number one driver, a favourite driver in the team. And then they concentrate on that. So it's a little bit of a shame at the moment, we do not have that," Prost continued.
"We did not have that as much, Ayrton started and Michael [Schumacher] and Lewis [Hamilton] and now it's Max. It's not always the decision of the driver, it's part of the game today. But again, if Ferrari can join the fight and maybe Mercedes later on or next year, it's going to be quite a nice fight.
"Especially with Ferrari, because Ferrari is a big name in Formula One. If they start to fight again for a title, especially with Lewis next year, it is going to be a big thing. Then social media is going to work well for sure."
READ MORE: Steiner 'looking to BUY F1 team' in sensational bid
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Team boss ACCUSES F1 rivals of 'disrespect'
- 24 minutes ago
Wolff makes BRUTAL Mercedes claim after a lacklustre Imola GP
- 1 hour ago
F2/F3 Power Rankings - Incredible Imola sees South American history made
- 2 hours ago
New F1 entry edges closer after SHOCK Imola appearance
- 3 hours ago
Leclerc delivers jibe at F1 title rivals with HIDING claim
- Today 10:57
Hamilton BEATS Verstappen despite Red Bull star's lucrative deal
- Today 09:57
F1 Race Calendar 2024
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
-
GP JAPAN
5 - 7 Apr
Max Verstappen
-
GP CHINA
19 - 21 Apr
Max Verstappen
-
GP USA
3 - 5 May
Lando Norris
-
GP ITALY
17 - 19 May
Max Verstappen
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
- GP CANADA 7 - 9 Jun
- GP SPAIN 21 - 23 Jun
- GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun
- GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul
- GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul
Related news
Hamilton BEATS Verstappen despite Red Bull star's lucrative deal
Verstappen involved in 24-hour marathon BEFORE dramatic fight with Norris - GPFans F1 Recap
Verstappen admits swearing at F1 fan in astonishing exchange
F1 rival admits HELPING Verstappen in stunning Imola showdown
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- AWS Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860