1. What important F1 event happened in 1955?

2. Juan Manuel Fangio's becoming World Champion the third time was one. But the most important event went unnoticed for 25 years. Suddenly, in 1980, what came from 1955 astonished the world of F1.

3. A star was born on February 24, 1955. His name: Alain Prost. In his first season in F1 (1980), his performance in a McLaren told the world that he's destined to conquer the sport. He joined Renault in 1981 and was a serious title challenger in only his second season. He could have taken it in 1983 if not for a mechanical failure in the final race. Renault made him a scapegoat for losing the championship and he rejoined McLaren in 1984. He lost the world championship by 0.5 point because the Monaco race was cut short and his 9 points from that victory was halved.

4. No one could stop him from winning the title in 1985, nor could the supreme Honda power in 1986. Hondas domination in 1987 was marred by Prosts 3 wins which broke Jackie Stewart's long-kept record of most GP wins - a record Honda hated because Prost did it without ever racing on Honda power.

5. With Honda power Prost's perfect drive in 1988 won him the most points in F1 history. But the title went to Ayrton Senna who scored 11 fewer points, because at that time the worst 5 results did not count. 3 second places were in Prost's worst 5 results! He dropped 18 points to Senna's 4! He won the title a third time in 1989. Of course he did. His closest "challenger", "world champion" Ayrton Senna, had 9 zeroes. There were not even 9 races when Prost was born in 1955!

6. Seeing how Prost conquered the sport, Satan was not happy. October 21, 1990, Satan drove Senna to crash into Prosts Ferrari at high speed at Suzuka. By doing so Senna won his second title. ("What?" You ask? Don't ask me. This world you are living in is this horrible and ridiculous!) But Satan could not destroy Prost. It destroyed Ayrton Senna. Yes. It destroyed F1. Yes. He could not destroy Prost. Prost won his 4th title in 1993 with Williams. For 5 years he had the pleasure to run his own F1 team in his own name. Even now, Prost is still enjoying racing.

7. Satan made his presence seen by all on October 21, 1990 at Suzuka. The damage to F1 is still here. But it can't remain for long. Because half a century ago, a star was born. He has conquered F1. In front of him, Satan is always a loser.

8. So, fellow F1 fans, join me to thank Alain for everything he gave to F1. Join me to wish Alain a Happy 50th Birthday!