Hamilton disagrees with Prost criticism
Frenchman Prost, who – behind Michael Schumacher – is the second most successful driver in the sport's history and also a former team boss, recently slammed the current format for not challenging the drivers enough.
"It's more speed, less brains, less tactics, less strategy and much less work together between a driver and the engineers — and that is not formula one I like," he said.
But at a local beach near Melbourne on Wednesday, McLaren driver Hamilton took issue with Prost's critique.
"I'm a bit surprised by that," he said, also expressing surprise that Prost did not welcome this year's ban on driver aids including traction control.
"Obviously he has a right to his own opinion, but for me I think it's even more challenging and a lot harder than it is with traction control," he said.
The Briton also specifically disagreed with Prost's claim that two-thirds of the drivers on Sunday's Melbourne grid could win at the wheel of a Ferrari or McLaren.
Hamilton replied: "I think what you'll see (in 2008) is the top, top drivers will rise above the good drivers."
He indicated that he was confused about Prost's two-thirds reference, because it is obvious that formula one drivers are all highly skilled.
"If not, why are you here?" Hamilton said.