Piastri responds to Prost compliment with 'modern F1 is different' claim

16:19, 22 Aug

byNorberto Mujica

Patience, consistency, and cleverness: Alain Prost sees shades of himself in Oscar Piastri. The four-time world champion’s praise has reached the Australian, who now leads the Formula 1 standings in only his second season, and drawn a reaction from the McLaren driver.

Speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Prost highlighted Piastri’s ability to think strategically on track, reminding him of his own approach in the 1980s and 90s.

When confronted with the comparison, Piastri’s response was simple: “Very cool! I’ve heard this comparison to Prost from a few people. In some ways, I see it that way too.”

'But modern Formula One is different'

But the McLaren driver was quick to underline that the sport has changed dramatically.

“Back then, there were much more concerns about reliability, even more driver-related reliability issues. But the mentality is the same: to try to be consistent.”

That consistency is now the priority for Piastri in the second half of 2025 after losing points earlier in the campaign.

Oscar Piastri dramatically overtakes Lando Norris for the win at Belgium

F1 title fight approach remains timeless

He explained the fine margins at play in a title fight: “When you’re fighting for first and second place, it’s a difference of seven points.

"But if you don’t finish the race, you might lose 18 or 25 points.

"So you have to make sure you finish the races and stay consistent.

"You can’t take unnecessary risks," an argument Prost was known for making. Not for nothing he was dubbed the Professor.

For Piastri, the lesson is clear. The title can be won as much by restraint as by outright speed, a philosophy the Frenchman himself embodied across his four championships.

“A modern Formula 1 title contender has this in common with the title contender Prost of a few decades ago – but the reasons for this are probably different today,” Piastri said.

And in closing, he acknowledged that sometimes the simplest approach is the best: “The mentality is probably comparable: I’d say it’s worked quite well in the past.”