Alain Prost believes it is only a matter of time before Max Verstappen leaves him behind as one of Formula 1's few four-time world champions.
While only three drivers - Michael Schumacher (seven), Lewis Hamilton (seven), and Juan Manuel Fangio (five) - have won more than four titles, Prost currently shares the quadruple champion status with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
However, the 69-year-old Frenchman expects that both he and Vettel will soon be left behind.
When asked by RMC Motori how he would feel if Verstappen were to match Fangio with a fifth title, Prost acknowledged that it is simply the natural course of the sport.
"Well, when it's someone like him – a very fast driver who has shown from the very first laps he ever did that he has something extra – then it's normal," Prost said.
"He is a great champion.
"He has shown that he is the best, so already sharing four titles with someone like him doesn't create any problems for me. In fact, I'm sure that he can surpass me and that in the next few years he will certainly do so."
Gerhard Berger, another F1 legend, recently compared Verstappen's approach to that of Niki Lauda - describing him as a no-nonsense, methodical racer with a clear focus on success.
However, Prost refrained from making direct comparisons between past and present drivers.
"I never want to talk or compare the drivers of yesterday with those of today, let's be clear," he stated.
"Max is like Niki in terms of being direct, there's no doubt about that. When you asked Niki something, the answer was always honest."
Berger has also recently expressed frustration over his portrayal in the new Netflix series about Ayrton Senna, particularly a scene in which he is depicted openly insulting Prost.
Asked for his thoughts on that controversy, Prost was clear in his similar disapproval.
"I am sure that Ayrton would not have liked all of this, even if it is a great story. But that means even more that you should not tell or show out of nowhere things that are not true.
"If you have to do something commercial, I do not want to see it done in the name of Senna. I do not like it and I do not accept it," he added.
Finally, Prost voiced his concerns about the current length of the F1 season, with the 2025 calendar again featuring a record-matching 24 races.
"For me, 17 or 18 was already too many," said the former Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams driver.
"Of course, someone could say that in my day we did so many days of testing, but I prefer that over the many races we have today.
"Especially for the young drivers who would be able to learn without the simulator, and for the sponsors who could get more time with the drivers on the test days.
I'd prefer that than doing all of these races."
