Alain Prost is adamant about Kimi Antonelli

Formula 1 legend Alain Prost reacted with amazement to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s success in the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship. The driver from Bologna won the drivers’ championship at just 20 years old, shattering every record for precocity, and the four-time world champion admitted he was impressed by his rapid rise.

“This success is almost inexplicable,” Prost explained to L’Equipe. You can’t really compare it to other eras; for example, I didn’t make it to Formula 1 until I was 25, so we’re talking about completely different generations. Another thing that strikes me is that an Italian has become champion. Of course, there was a time when Ferrari didn’t want Italian drivers in their cars, and that didn’t help.”

“Antonelli’s success can also be explained by the new regulations; at 20, he probably had a sort of advantage—he understood better how to manage his energy.There’s also something that’s hard to put into words… In the past, when you were very young, it still took a little time to adapt to the system. Not for him. That’s what surprises me the most. He gives the impression of being an old veteran.”

Prost cited the example of Monaco: “I didn’t see even the slightest mistake on his part all weekend, and yet I followed everything closely. Free practice, qualifying, the race. And those are situations where, when you’re pushing hard—when you’re going for pole position or the win—mistakes happen quickly. But he didn’t make any.”

For Prost, the environment in which he grew up was crucial: “I don’t know the people around him, but I believe that the environment plays a very important role when you’re so young—to help you stay calm, to guide you. He’s a very kind young man, but on the track, when he lowers his visor—even at 20—he really has a fire in his eyes, the determination, and the will to win.”