F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Prost: 'Ridiculous to talk about seven titles for Hamilton'

F1 legend Alain Prost says it's useless to wonder if Lewis Hamilton will one day equal Michael Schumacher's historic record of seven F1 world titles.

Hamilton clinched his fourth crown on Sunday in Mexico City, putting the Mercedes driver on a par with Prost and arch rival Sebastian Vettel who both won the title four times.

However, asking a driver whether he ambitions to beat a record is senseless, says Prost.

"A driver will never answer that question," says the F1 great and Renault advisor.

"When you have four titles, the fifth is a just too far off. You're living Grand Prix after Grand Prix. Practice, qualifying, the race...

"It wouldn't be good for a driver to think any other way. So to talk about seven titles is ridiculous."

Prost argues however that Hamilton's achievement now sees the British driver move on to a new level.

"Records are made to be broken," says the Frenchman.

"And Lewis has broken a few that we thought were out of reach, like the number of pole positions for example.

"But we should also relativise what it all means. There are more races than before, and cars are more reliable, so everything changes and the records fall.

"It all fuels an impassioned debate between F1 fans about the achievements of drivers from different generations. Everyone has their own idea about who was the best.

"It's clear however that Lewis, upon equaling what Sebastian Vettel and myself achieved, has now entered a new dimension."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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