2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button believes Max Verstappen is the quickest driver to ever get behind the wheel of an F1 car.
Button made the claim during a TalkSport radio show, where he is promoting his latest book, 'How to be an F1 driver'.
Button began by discussing his former McLaren team-mate's achievements, with Lewis Hamilton closing on a sixth title, which would put him just one shy of Michael Schumacher's all-time record of seven.
The fellow British driver applauded Hamilton's ability, but doesn't believe he can be compared to other F1 icons from the past.
"He’s very good," said Button. "We were team-mates for three years so I could see first hand how good he is. His natural ability is fantastic.
"I have loved watching F1 this year because Ferrari and Red Bull have had chances to win races and it’s been awesome to watch, but over a season the Mercedes team has been so dominant.
"He’s done a fantastic job as a driver, he’s done what’s been asked of him, but you can’t compare him to drivers of a different era. It was a different sport, even, back then."
Asked who the best driver is, Button went one further and said who he believes is the quickest driver to ever grace an F1 car.
"Verstappen. I think he is the fastest driver that has ever driven an F1 car, I really do," he said of the Red Bull driver who has claimed seven race wins and 28 podium finishes.
"I think he is unbelievably fast," added Button. "Previously to this year he made some mistakes, as you would expect from a young driver, but now he’s doing such a fantastic job. I really do think he is very special."
Discussion about this post