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Prost: Hamilton the best of his generation

Prost: "Hamilton the best of his generation"

29-10-2018 16:20
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Four-time champion Alain Prost has said that Lewis Hamilton is the best driver of his generation, as the Brit surpassed Prost in championships as he secured his fifth in Mexico last weekend.

Prost is regarded as one of the great drivers in F1 history himself as the Frenchman defined a generation alongside the likes of Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell, but he doesn't think that it's at all comparable to what the sport is in today's day and age.

"Obviously, every world champion is different than the other," Prost told FormulaPassion.

"The thing that struck me most about Lewis is how he is forced to become an even better driver. 

"This was probably his best season and it can still become better. 

"Even if his car has not always been at the top, he has been able to seize the best opportunities and if he has to do something special, like in qualifying in Singapore, he is able to do it.

"The team supports Lewis in his special way of life, which gives him much confidence and strength. An aspect that is very important to him."

It is true that Mercedes let Hamilton embark on all his other adventures that are non-F1 related, like his clothing line at Tommy Hilfiger and his campaign to reduce usage of plastic worldwide. Hamilton always talks about keeping himself busy with things aside from F1 probably make him a better driver, as he can get his mind off of racing when he's busy with his other business ventures.

When asked how Hamilton would rank against himself and drivers of Prost's generation like Ayrton Senna, the Frenchman thinks that it's too hard to compare the two.

"You can not compare generations. Senna and I were perhaps the best [of our generation]. Now you can only say that Lewis is one of the best, if not the best of his generation."

"Sebastian [Vettel] also had a good season, but he was not good enough to beat Lewis and Mercedes: he made mistakes at the wrong time, like in Baku or Hockenheim, otherwise he would have had 30 points of advantage and less pressure. 

"Also, this year, Lewis was able to be psychologically very strong towards Seb. Definitely mature and, given the circumstances, it was impossible to beat it."