On this day: Michael Schumacher beats Alain Prost’s F1 victory record

Michael Schumacher achieved a historic milestone on September 2, 2001, by winning the Belgian Grand Prix and surpassing Alain Prost's long-standing record of 51 Formula 1 victories. This victory not only solidified Schumacher's status as a top driver but also marked him as a four-time world champion, showcasing his dominance in the sport at that time. The race was marked by incidents that led to a second start, allowing Schumacher to take the lead and maintain a significant advantage over his competitors, ultimately finishing comfortably ahead of David Coulthard.

Prost, who had held the record since 1987, expressed his respect for Schumacher's achievements and acknowledged the challenges of being a world champion. While Schumacher downplayed the importance of statistics, he recognized the significance of reaching 52 wins. This victory set the stage for Schumacher's continued success in Formula 1, where he would eventually achieve a total of 91 wins, a record that stood until challenged by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.