Prost talks of tough bond with Senna 20 years after star's death

If you mention Ayrton Senna, it's almost impossible to not think about Alain Prost. It goes the same way when talking about the French driver, known as The Professor. The two Formula One World Champions were inextricably linked from their first meeting in 1984 through to Prost's retirement in 1993.

Their relationship became so well known thanks to a particular kind of public venom that flourished between them, from 1989 and the Frenchman's retirement in 1993 (the above photo is from happier days, in 1988). Their on-track rivalry was the greatest in F1 since James Hunt and Niki Lauda, and it could be argued that there is no match for it today.

According to Prost, though, there was more to the relationship, and the two grew closer before the Brazilian's tragic and untimely death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. He even served as a pallbearer at Senna's funeral.

Prost writes about their brutal rivalry and what Senna's death meant to him over at Autoweek. It's really a must-read piece on this sad 20-year anniversary of Ayrton's passing. Take a look, and let us know what you think in Comments.