Due to the current papaya dominance, everything currently looks like Oscar Piatri and Lando Norris are out among themselves: A pure McLaren title fight was nothing new in the history of Formula 1, but for a while: in 1988 and 1989 Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in a team from WoKing were an epic stable duel, but with significantly harder bandages …
A good 36 years later, the remaining of the two protagonists leaves no doubt about who he keeps his fingers crossed in this year’s edition: “I like his approach. He remembers me a little,” says Prost in relation to World Cup leaders Piatri, who, according to the Frenchman, is considering when the right moment is for an overtaking maneuver – he is praising the French, “he is praising on the edge. Goodwood Festival of Speed.
No wonder that the “professor” attracted Piatris for the “professor” at an early stage: “I know Oscar very well because I was the one who pushed Renault to add him to the academy at the time – even though they didn’t want to do that at first,” reveals Prost.
The four-time world champion was a consultant and member of the Renault F1 project supervisory board until the beginning of 2022, but left the team in dispute after a dusting with the then Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi.
Cheers predicted Piatri great: “Driver types like him …”
Piatri, who had become part of the Alpine Academy in 2020, did the same a little later, changed from the French to McLaren after a now legendary social media post and the following contract dispute, where he is now one of the top stars in Formula 1.
No wonder for cheers, he recognized the talent of the Australian early on, according to his own statement: “I already saw him driving in Formula 3, maybe even in Formula 4 – and then in Formula 2.”
Since then, little has changed in his positive picture of Piatri: “I just like him,” explains Prost that he still trusts the 24 -year -old to have great things in the coming years: “Of course you never know what the future will bring, but driver types as it usually make continuous progress. For some whose talent is pure in driving skills, you can no longer see any development.”
With a view to the title duel at McLaren, Prost adds: “I don’t know Lando very well. But honestly: in a World Cup fight like the best, the best should win – very simple.” The latter naturally also hopes McLaren boss Zak Brown, who recently explained in terms of his protégés: “I see no reason why they can’t get a gripping but respectful duel until the end of the season.”
“May the better win,” the American puts in the same notch as Prost – although he believes: “I am sure you will end up shaking your hand and congratulate each other. Of course, both want the title, but just as I know how to drive your personalities and your way, I see no reason why you shouldn’t continue to stay very good teammates.” So very different from Senna and Prost …