Button: Verstappen most gifted in F1, but perhaps not the best

Jenson Button believes Max Verstappen is the most "naturally gifted" F1 driver on the grid, but perhaps not the best.

Verstappen mercurial rise from the junior ranks led to the Dutchman's promotion to F1 in 2015 at just 17-years-old, the Red Bull charger winning his first race at 18 years and 228 days, a record that is likely to stand for many seasons to come.

In Jeddah, when Button was asked to name by Sky Sports the most naturally gifted driver he had ever see, the Briton offered an unsurprising reply.

"Max. It's just natural, isn't it?" said the 2009 F1 world champion who is actually quite familiar with the Verstappen lineage.

"When you look at Max's parents, his dad raced in F1. I raced against his dad and my first points finish was in Brazil, in my second race. To get that point, I had to overtake his dad, Jos.

"You didn't want to get him upset. There was a little bit of aggression there.

"He was an amazing talent, one of the best kart drivers ever, and still probably to this day. And his mother, Sophie, I was teammates with her in karting.

"She was a professional and one of the best in the world, so it's definitely in the blood."

• Read also: Button surprised by Norris' long contract with McLaren

But a remarkable set of genes isn't enough to be the best in one's field. And Button believes his former McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton might still hold an age over F1's 2021 world champion.

"Naturally gifted? Yes. Is he the best? I don't know if he's the best driver that has ever lived or the best in F1 now," added Button.

"When you look at Lewis, you think he is a much more complete racing driver with a lot more experience, maybe that's why.

"He [Verstappen] has got to work hard. Even if you think you're the best, there's still more you can do to be better. That is where Michael Schumacher was so strong."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter