Alain Prost: The story of a Formula 1 legend

Formula 1 has always had a bit of a difficult time crossing over to the French market, which is why the sport has been fairly devoid of French stars... Well, for the most part.

There was one key French figure in Formula 1 – we're talking of course about Alain Prost.

Born in 1955, Alain Prost initially aspired to become a professional football player, with hopes of playing for French club Saint-Étienne. Like many young boys of his era, he dreamed of reaching the pinnacle of the game before his path ultimately led him to motorsport.

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At the age of 14, Prost discovered motorsport on holiday with his family, taking part in his very first karting race, as the Formula 1 official site documented.

As a teenager, Prost discovered his passion for motorsport and quickly excelled in karting. By 1973, he had claimed both the junior French and European karting championships. The following year, he advanced to the senior level, where he became the French champion, setting the stage for his rise in professional racing.

He gave up karting in 1975 to specialize in short-course racing. He continued to grow from strength to strength, joining Formula 3 and winning the Monaco GP in 1979.

At the end of the season, Prost got his first taste of Formula 1 behind the wheel of a McLaren during a comparative test session. His performance was nothing short of remarkable, as he posted lap times faster than the team's primary driver. McLaren team boss Teddy Mayer was thoroughly impressed by Prost's skill and speed, recognizing the immense potential of the young driver.

In 1981, he joined the Renault-ELF team. During that season, he won his very first Grand Prix in France, on the Dijon-Prenois circuit.

He won two more that season, two in 1982 and four in 1984, showing that Prost had the qualities to shake up the world of Formula 1.

In 1984, he returned to McLaren, who seemed to have improved since his departure. He began the season with a first victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

It was an excellent start to the season, which ended with a second place in the world rankings for the Frenchman. He finished his 1984 season with 7 Grand Prix victories.

Prost successfully defended his Formula 1 World Championship title in 1986, securing a dramatic victory in a season full of suspense. His triumph came amidst a fierce rivalry with the legendary Ayrton Senna, whose aggressive driving style contrasted with Prost's calculated approach.

A fierce rivalry developed between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, with both drivers becoming favorites to win the World Championship each season. Prost reclaimed the title in 1989, only for Senna to snatch it away in 1990.

The final season of rivalry between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna came in 1993, when Prost triumphed over his Brazilian rival, securing his fourth and final World Championship. This victory allowed Prost to retire from Formula 1 on a high note, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.