Prost Declares Verstappen 'Clearly Above the Rest' as Norris Claims F1 Title

Four-time world champion Alain Prost has declared Max Verstappen "clearly above the rest" despite Lando Norris securing the 2025 Formula 1 drivers' championship by a razor-thin two-point margin. The French legend congratulated Norris on his maiden title while emphasizing Verstappen's exceptional performance throughout a season defined by the Dutchman's remarkable comeback attempt.

Why it matters:

Prost's assessment carries significant weight as one of only five drivers to win four or more championships. His verdict underscores a critical narrative shift in F1: Verstappen's dominance isn't measured solely by titles but by consistent superiority against evolving competition. This perspective challenges conventional championship metrics while highlighting how Norris' victory—achieved through calculated consistency rather than outright speed—represents a new paradigm for title contention.

The Details:

• Prost specifically stated: "Congratulations to Lando, it is deserved, but Max, Max is clearly above the rest" during Canal+'s Abu Dhabi podium coverage, revealing his struggle to reconcile Norris' achievement with Verstappen's on-track supremacy.
• Verstappen mounted a fierce championship charge after Zandvoort, erasing a 104-point deficit through seven consecutive wins—a statistical improbability that brought him within striking distance of F1's greatest comeback.
• The title decider hinged on critical mid-race moments: Verstappen briefly gained advantage when Norris rejoined in traffic after his first stop, but the McLaren driver executed flawless recovery maneuvers to maintain position.
• Norris ultimately secured the crown through strategic precision, avoiding errors while managing tire degradation in Abu Dhabi's high-temperature conditions—a contrast to Verstappen's high-risk, high-reward approach.
• Technical parity played a role, with Red Bull's RB21 showing diminished straight-line speed compared to McLaren's MCL40 in season's final races, neutralizing Verstappen's usual qualifying advantage.

What's next:

This championship outcome reshapes both drivers' trajectories heading into 2026. Verstappen now faces unprecedented pressure to convert dominant pace into titles under new engine regulations, while Norris must prove his consistency wasn't a one-season phenomenon.

• Red Bull's technical team has already initiated wind tunnel revisions targeting 2026's ground-effect regulations, focusing on improving low-speed cornering where McLaren held an edge this season.
• Verstappen's camp is reportedly evaluating strategic adjustments to his racecraft, particularly regarding tire management in high-fuel scenarios where Norris demonstrated superior race-long pace.
• The psychological dynamic shifts dramatically: Verstappen enters next season as the hunter rather than hunted, while Norris must adapt to the target now on his back as reigning champion.
• Crucially, this season's narrative confirms F1's competitive balance has improved—proving even Verstappen's extraordinary talent requires a flawless car to overcome a technically superior package driven with ice-cool precision.