Max Verstappen‘s dominance in recent seasons have earned him much praise on the grid. A majority of the people have regarded the Dutchman as one of the greats in the history of Formula 1. The 26-year-old is also on a trajectory to showcase a similar performance to his championship-winning 2023 campaign this season. However, former F1 world champion Alain Prost has pointed out the lack of competition in Verstappen’s title winning years.

Max Verstappen‘s 2023 performance earned him the title an all-time great. The Dutchman annihilated any chances of competition early on last year. Verstappen also shattered multiple world records while in the process of winning the championship. Alain Prost felt indifferent to the people complimenting the reigning world champion over his feats.

Prost initially complimented Verstappen on scoring some of the greatest victories in Formula 1. The Frenchman also regarded him as ‘one of the best’ drivers in F1’s history. However, the Frenchman didn’t hesitate to acknowledge the lack of competition provided by rival teams on the grid. Hence, according to the 69-year-old, the championship’s worth was way less than it should be.

Max is one, if not the best Formula 1 driver currently, we have to accept it. But a championship is worth more to those who win it when there is a battle between two or three teams.

Alain Prost told Sports Illustrated

Alain Prost claims Ferrari and Mercedes might have a shot at championship if they found a ‘real first driver’

Ferrari and Mercedes committed multiple mistakes during the 2023 campaign and failed to provide any sort of competition to Red Bull. The likes of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had no chance to defeat Max Verstappen throughout the season. Hence, Prost revealed the reason that could help Ferrari and Mercedes to score the championship. According to the Frenchman, the teams needed to find a ‘real first driver’ like the way Red Bull focused on Verstappen.

Mercedes and Ferrari would have more possibilities if, like Red Bull, found a real first driver and focused more on this.

Alain Prost noted.

Prost mentioned that it was ‘pitiful’ for the two teams that they didn’t have a much better number-one driver. However, the 69-year-old was still hopeful that Mercedes and Ferrari would find the perfect combination for 2025. Particularly with Hamilton’s Ferrari move. Hence, this could enable the rival teams to provide another ‘big battle’ to the dominant Red Bulls.

It is a pity that at the moment they do not have it. Hopefully they will do it next year and then there may be another big battle.

Alain Prost explained.

F1 teams are trying to bridge the gap with Red Bull’s pace advantage. Ferrari is closing in on the Austrian team for race victories this season. Hence, it is a matter of time until the remaining teams provide a worthy competition to Red Bull. Regardless, Milton Keynes would likely dominate the remainder of the ground-effect era.