Not Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton: F1 Legend Alain Prost Names the Best Driver on the Grid

Lewis Hamilton won the first ever Qatar GP and his title rival Max Verstappen came home second. This was pretty much close to what we have seen this entire season. However, it was still the heroics of Fernando Alonso that made this race special. The two-time world champion crossed the chequered flag in third place to reach his 98th podium. Notably, his last podium was back in 2014 for Ferrari and it took him 105 grand prix starts to get there again.

As a response to that, four-time world champion Alain Prost went on to claim that Alonso is the best driver in the grid. Notably, the Frenchman is serving as F1 director for the Alpine team. Prost neglected the championship rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen while choosing the best driver in current grid.

We said there’d be drama and fireworks on the track in Qatar – right, @alo_oficial ? #QatarGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/slzDmhSONw

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 23, 2021

Alain Prost counts Fernando Alonso as better than Lewis Hamilton

Alonso is undoubtedly one of the finest drivers on the grid. He has 22 Grand Prix wins with 98 podiums and close to 2000 points to his name. Statistically, he is sure one of the best out there.

So the French racing legend, Alain Prost was in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport in Qatar where he didn’t consider Hamilton’s name and instead said about Alonso, “For me, he is the best driver in the field.”

Formula One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 20, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is interviewed after finishing first place in qualifying REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/Pool

“The overview of the race he has is unbelievable, as is his feel for the tyres, the statements he makes about the car and how he feeds the engineers,” added the Frenchman.

“Fernando has always told me that he has become a different person and I must say he was right. He does everything for the team and that is very good for us”, said Prost admitting his reservations at the time of Spaniard’s return to f1.

Relief for Alonso and his team

The Spaniard came home in third position and his teammate Esteban Ocon finished P5.  It was an absolute cracker of a weekend for the Renault-Alpine F1 team. Alonso’s statement post the race explained just how relieving it was to finally touch the podium after years of hustle and a great show of longevity.

Podio 98 ya está en casa . Perdón por el retraso

Podium 98th is already at home. Sorry for the delay #qatar #f1 #alpine #podio pic.twitter.com/3sVsPt2dOH

— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) November 21, 2021

The Alpine team now carries a comfortable lead over Alpha Tauri for the fifth spot in Constructor’s championship. “With today’s points haul we extend our lead on Alpha Tauri in fifth to 25 points with two rounds remaining,” said Alpine boss Laurent Rossi.

Do you see this team securing another podium finish in the remaining races? Help us know in the comments.

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