F1 Report will air tonight at 8:30pm on Sky Sports F1
Wednesday 25 May 2016 20:57, UK
Max Verstappen is already showing signs he can become a true great, according to Gary Anderson on this week's F1 Report.
The 18-year-old ripped up the sport's record books with his victory in Spain, his first grand prix following his promotion to Red Bull, and has been lauded by all sections of the paddock.
And Anderson, who had the privilege of working closely with a young Michael Schumacher for his F1 debut with Jordan in 1991, has reserved high praise for Verstappen ahead of this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
When is the Monaco GP and how can you watch it?
"The ability to believe in your natural talent will take you somewhere," the former F1 engineer said. "I remember Michael in Spa - Eau Rouge was always a very, very difficult corner and taking it flat out was the sort of step you had to do.
"We sat down with Michael on the Friday night and we said 'you haven't done Eau Rouge flat yet' and he said 'no problem, it will be fine tomorrow, I'm just getting comfortable'. We went to De Cesaris, our other driver, and he said exactly the same.
"Michael went out on the Saturday morning, flat through Eau Rouge the first time and never lifted again. It took Andrea de Cesaris until the last lap of qualifying to go flat through there.
"Verstappen to me is a bit like Michael. He believes in his talent, his ability. He'll get it out of situations, that's why he can overtake. He just puts the car up the inside of somebody and he will manage the consequences.
"He hasn't got a big plan. It's about confidence and Max shows all the traits of being one of the great guys."
The full F1 Report: Monaco GP Preview will be aired tonight on Sky Sports F1 at 8:30pm.
