Alain Prost

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Prost's journey began in Lorette, where he broke his nose playing sports before discovering karting at 14 during a family holiday. By 16, he bought his first kart with savings from working at his father's furniture store. He dominated French senior karting in 1975 and transitioned to open-wheel racing in 1976, winning the Formula Renault National Championship that year. In 1978, he won the French Formula Three championship while competing in Europe, culminating in a victory at the 1979 FIA European Formula 3 Championship with Oreca. Before his debut, Marlboro offered to fund a third McLaren car for an early entry, but Prost declined, stating: 'I didn't know Watkins Glen and I didn't know the car. I said I thought it would be a better idea to organise a test.'

In Their Own Story

Prost's Formula One career started in 1980 with McLaren, where he finished sixth on debut at the Argentine Grand Prix. After leaving for Renault due to reliability issues and team friction, he secured his maiden victory at the French Grand Prix in 1981. His relationship with teammate René Arnoux deteriorated by 1982 after a disputed pre-race agreement at the French Grand Prix. In 1983, Prost finished runner-up to Nelson Piquet after retiring from the title-decider with a turbo failure; he was sacked by Renault two days later for post-season comments. Returning to McLaren in 1984, he lost the championship to teammate Niki Lauda by just half a point. The following year, Prost won his first title as the first French World Champion, defending it in 1986 against Piquet and Nigel Mansell. His partnership with Ayrton Senna in 1987 led to a dominant 1988 season where they won all but one race, though Senna took the title by three points. Rivalry peaked with collisions at Suzuka in 1989 (Prost won) and 1990 (Senna won). After a winless 1991 campaign with Ferrari, he was sacked over comments about the 643 car. He returned to Williams in 1993, winning his fourth title before retiring.

Reader's Guide

Prost's career is defined by strategic precision and record-breaking consistency. His junior success included the 1979 European Formula 3 title, leading directly to his McLaren debut in 1980. At Renault (1981–1983), he mastered turbo technology, winning races in France, the Netherlands, Italy, South Africa, and Brazil (where Piquet and Rosberg were disqualified). His move back to McLaren in 1984 resulted in a historic half-point loss to Niki Lauda. The 1985 season marked his first championship, making him the first French World Drivers' Champion. The 1988 season with Senna remains legendary; driving the Honda-powered MP4/4, they won every race except one. Conflicts at Suzuka in 1989 and 1990 defined an era of intense rivalry. His final championship came in 1993 with Williams, breaking records before retirement. He later owned Prost Grand Prix (1997–2001) and served as an advisor to Renault/Alpine from 2017 to 2021.

Did You Know?

• Prost was the first World Drivers' Champion from France, winning his maiden title in 1985.
• In 1984, he finished runner-up to teammate Niki Lauda by a record half-point.
• He won three consecutive Teams' Championships as co-owner of Renault e.dams in Formula E from 2014–15 to 2016–17.
• Prost is a three-time champion of the Andros Trophy, competing in ice racing from 2003 to 2012.
• He broke his nose several times as a child playing sports before discovering karting at age 14.