Alain Prost held the Formula One career wins record with 51 victories until Michael Schumacher surpassed him in 2001.
Prost accumulated his 51 Grand Prix wins during a career that began in 1980 and ended after the 1993 season. He won four World Drivers’ Championships, taking titles in 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1993. His reputation rested on precise race management and consistency, which earned him the nickname “The Professor.”
Prost’s 51-win record lasted for fourteen years. Schumacher broke it during the 2001 season, eventually finishing his career with 91 victories. That record was later surpassed by Lewis Hamilton, so Prost is no longer near the top of the modern total-wins list. Another common mix-up is confusing Prost’s wins record with his pole-position record: Ayrton Senna held the pole record when Prost retired, while Prost also held the fastest-laps record for a period. The question refers specifically to Grand Prix victories, not championships, poles or fastest laps.