Alain Prost facing online hate: « I’m thinking of deactivating my Instagram »

Alain Prost spoke in a recent interview with Motorsport Total, sharing his dismay with the reality of social media. « I receive messages every day, really every day without exception. Occasionally, there’s a hater that shows up. » A situation that leads him to seriously question how to manage his online image.

Although fame and social media have their advantages, the shadow of online harassment is a reality for many athletes, and Prost is no exception. “I receive really harsh messages,” he adds, “It’s difficult to endure.” For a man accustomed to the pressure of podiums and circuits, it’s a completely different type of stress he faces today.

The Prost-Senna rivalry still present

The legendary rivalry between **Alain Prost** and **Ayrton Senna**, which made headlines in the 80s and 90s, still seems to be at the center of discussions. Since the end of their respective careers, the shadow of Senna still looms. **Prost** candidly admits: « Indirectly, I have lived around this story for 30 years, and it will probably remain that way for the rest of my life. »

For the French driver, F1 was much more than that famous rivalry. Life consists of several parts: the path to motorsport, my career, and now. In the 30 years since the end of my career, I have done a lot, but it’s barely talked about. I feel like my life is just that Prost-Senna duel, he confides.

If Prost seems to be constantly brought back to his duel with Senna, he does not forget the other significant figures of his career: « I had four world champions as teammates, and they are extremely important people who meant a lot to me. » Beyond the rivalry with the Brazilian, Prost had the privilege of driving alongside Niki Lauda, Keke Rosberg, and Damon Hill.

Instagram, a way to connect or a curse?

With 321,000 followers on Instagram, Prost is an essential figure on social media. Yet, the platform, supposed to be a place for sharing and connecting with fans, is gradually turning into a space where the athlete feels overwhelmed by the intensity of the messages. « My largest fan base on social media comes from Brazil, of all places, so I am obliged to consider it. » This is a particular aspect of the situation: the majority of his followers come from Brazil, the country of Ayrton Senna, which exacerbates the tension for Prost, caught in the heart of this complex relationship with fans.

This situation raises an important question: are social networks still a healthy space for athletes, or have they become a new form of pressure? Prost seems hesitant. « I’m thinking about deactivating my Instagram », but he is also aware that this space allows him to stay connected to his fans.