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

• Max Verstappen compared to Rafael Nadal after winning F1 world championship
• The Dutchman claimed his third consecutive title in Qatar sprint race
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here

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

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

Having only needed to finish sixth in the sprint to secure the championship trophy, Verstappen ended up only trailing Oscar Piastri after team-mate Sergio Perez crashed out. 

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

Rosberg, who won the world title in 2016, believes Verstappen is close to being among the greats of the sport despite still being four championship wins behind the seven of joint record-holders Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.

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

Verstappen has enjoyed a remarkable season, failing to win just two Grand Prix’s so far

He needed to finish just sixth in the sprint to confirm his triumph but went on to take second place

He told Sky Sports: ‘It’s unbelievable the run of form he’s had and the level that he’s driving at, the records he’s beating. Unreal.

‘He’s even getting close to those five greatest of all time now. It’s spectacular. With the way he’s driving he’s getting close to the Fangios, Schumachers, Sennas and Hamiltons.

‘It’s so motivating for those within team Red Bull to know they’ve got one of the greatest drivers of all time driving their machine. It’s such an uplifting thing and that’s what is driving 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 courts

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

Chandhok said: ‘Imperious. That is what they [Red Bull] have been as a collective on [Verstappen’s] side of the garage. It’s not been plain-sailing for Perez.

‘If you’re playing against Rafael Nadal at his peak on clay, whatever you do with the ball, it’s just going to come back to you. That’s what it’s like being team-mates with Verstappen.’ 

Verstappen will be looking to continue his remarkable season record in the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday before seeing out the final five rounds of the 2023 campaign. 

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