Nico Rosberg insists Max Verstappen is close to becoming ‘the greatest of all time’ after wrapping up his third straight world title – amid claims the Dutchman is ‘like Rafael Nadal on clay’ in Formula One

Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg has claimed Max Verstappen is closing in on the greatest drivers of all time after winning a third consecutive world title.

The Red Bull driver won this year’s drivers’ championship after finishing second in the sprint race ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.

Having only needed to finish sixth in the sprint to claim the championship trophy, Verstappen only ended up behind Oscar Piastri after teammate Sergio Perez crashed.

Remarkably, the 26-year-old has won all but two Grands Prix so far this year, and he currently enjoys a 184-point lead over Perez in the Drivers’ Championship standings.

Rosberg, who won the world title in 2016, believes Verstappen is on the verge of becoming one of the sport’s greats, although he is still four championship victories behind the seven of joint record holders Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton .

Max Verstappen won his third consecutive F1 world championship title in the sprint race ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.

Verstappen has had a remarkable season, having won just two Grands Prix so far.

He needed to finish sixth in the sprint to confirm his triumph, but he ultimately took second place.

He said Aerial sports: ‘It’s incredible the form he’s had and the level at which he’s riding, the records he’s breaking. Unreal.

“He’s even close to the top five of all time now. It’s spectacular. With his way of driving, he is close to Fangio, Schumacher, Senna and Hamilton.

“It’s so motivating for the Red Bull team to know that they have one of the greatest drivers of all time behind the wheel of their machine.” It’s such an inspiring thing and it’s what motivates them.

Sky Sports presenter Karun Chandhok took the Verstappen comparisons in a different direction, suggesting the F1 star is like tennis legend Rafael Nadal playing on his clay courts.

Sky Sports presenter Karun Chandhok compared Verstappen’s dominance to that of tennis star Rafael Nadal on clay.

Nadal is known as the “King of Clay” having won 14 Grand Slam titles on the surface.

Chandhok said: “Imperious. That’s what they (Red Bull) have been as a collective on (Verstappen’s) side of the garage. It hasn’t been easy for Perez.

“If you play against Rafael Nadal at his peak on clay, whatever you do with the ball, it will come back to you. That’s what it’s like to be teammates with Verstappen.

Verstappen will look to continue his remarkable season record at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday before contesting the final five rounds of the 2023 campaign.