Looking back in which was arguably the most iconic rivalry in F1 history, made even more intense by how evenly matched Senna and Prost were.
They Both battled fiercely for world championships at McLaren, leaving no space for each other every race, leading to a series of controversial collisions at Suzuka in 1989 and 1990.
The French driver, Prost always calculated precision, Senna was different, more aggressive, turning every race into a dramatic battle both on and off the track.
Lewis Hamilton vs. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes, 2013–2016)
From childhood friends to bitter rivals, they knew each other from the early days, Hamilton and Rosberg’s partnership at Mercedes was marked by psychological warfare and on-track drama, especially in 2016. From the infamous Monaco qualifying incident in 2014 to their collision at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, when world stopped after the crash, the rivalry ended in shock when Rosberg retired immediately after winning the championship, a decision that nobody expected.
Sebastian Vettel vs. Mark Webber (Red Bull, 2009–2013)
The “Multi-21” incident at the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix perfectly captured the tension between Webber and Vettel. Mark Webber wasn’t happy at all, he always doubted on his team, that Red Bull was backing Vettel. However, Vettel’s decision to ignore team orders in Malaysia and snatch the win not only exposed the fractured relationships within Red Bull but also left fans and teammates questioning loyalty and trust.
Fernando Alonso vs. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren, 2007)
Hamilton’s rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, since day one at Melbourne with a great start, in the other hand Alonso, a double world champion, wasn’t pleased about it. Their rivalry peaked at the Hungarian GP when Alonso deliberately blocked Hamilton in the pit lane. In which Ron Dennis started to doubt on Alonso, the fallout was enormous, leading to McLaren being slapped with a record $100 million fine due to the infamous “Spygate” scandal.
Nigel Mansell vs. Nelson Piquet (Williams, 1986–1987)
The battle between Britain’s lion and the Brazilian tactician at Williams was ruthless. Both great driver, both known as champions, Piquet’s off-track psychological tactics were as fierce as the wheel-to-wheel action, with both men determined to prove they were the team’s true leader. Their rivalry revealed the darker side of internal competition.
Carlos Sainz vs. Lando Norris (McLaren, 2019–2020)
Though less bitter, the rivalry between Sainz and Norris showcased the modern F1 teammate dynamic, Norris the young boy who showed his class back then, Sainz who already was known for everyone for his battle with Max Verstappen. Their fight for supremacy was intense yet respectful, with both drivers pushing each other to new heights. It was a reminder that not all rivalries have to end in animosity.
Prost and Senna battle is the most iconic one after all, their fight on track and out of track, was different to all of these. However, these battles reveal the ruthless nature of the sport, where even those under the same flag can become bitter enemies in the quest for glory. As long as Formula 1 exists, so too will its explosive battles that keep us on the edge of our seats.
