“I don’t think you can compare things,” the four-time champion said.
“Historically it’s very difficult to compare generations, a lot of aspects.
We cannot compare the human side.” Prost, who has expressed his unhappiness at
F1’s failure to embrace its new hybrid era, also revealed he spoke to
Rosberg on the Sunday night after the German’s narrow defeat to Hamilton in
Barcelona.
He added: “What Nico has to do? I talked to him on Sunday night, and there are
a few things he can do, for sure. He starts to understand, first of all that
he needs to be on pole and start the race first. There were at least two
races where he was a little bit quicker, in my opinion, during the race, but
you know how difficult it is with the same car.
“It’s going to be very tight. Lewis is using 100 per cent of the potential.
Nico starts to understand that he needs something a bit different. He knows
that he needs to change a few things. But we are talking a couple tenths, or
per cent.” The extra torque of the new turbo engines should make Monaco an
even more fearsome challenge this weekend, with rain forecast on race day.
Jenson Button, who won at the famous circuit with Brawn in 2009, said this
race more than any other would highlight the difference between this and
last year’s cars.
“Obviously, I’ve never driven a turbocharged F1 car around Monaco before – and
I’m relishing the opportunity,” the 34-year-old said.
“More than any other 2014 race, I think this event will show us the most
pronounced difference between â old F1’ and the new formula we have.
There’s far less of an aerodynamic influence here – it’s just about bolting
as much to the car as possible in a bid to find grip – so I think the
engine’s influence will be greater.
“So, with less significance placed on aerodynamics, I hope we can enjoy a
better race than our two previous outings in China and Spain.”