Rosberg: Verstappen same level as Senna, Hamilton and Schumacher

Max Verstappen is already a double F1 Champion at the age of 25, with 35 wins and 20 pole positions to his name, and many racing years still in him, the Red Bull ace seems to have just started.

Verstappen's 2022 Title defense campaign may have had a shaky start with two DNF's in the first three races, but he then picked up the pieces and cruised to his second Drivers' Crown in succession achieving record breaking number of wins, and number of points scored per season on his way.

Nico Rosberg, who won his only F1 Title in 2016 with Mercedes, reflected on Verstappen's 2022 season in an interview with Sport1.

"Fifteen victories in one season are incredible," Rosberg said. "With these numbers, he is now the man to beat in Formula 1."

Verstappen doesn't seem to be slowing down, and chances are he may be starting a winning streak similar to the one Sebastian Vettel enjoyed with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, not to mention Mercedes run of utter dominance from the start of the Turbo-Hybrid era in 2014, which was coincidentally was halted by Verstappen and Red Bull in 2021.

Asked who may be able to stop Verstappen's strong run, Rosberg responded: "I would say that only Hamilton would have more or less the same level if he competed in the same car. But what Verstappen is currently showing is really crazy."

Rosberg and Verstappen had their track encounters before the German retired in 2016, and the former Mercedes driver admitted he was impressed by the level of talent the Dutchman showed.

"His teammates in recent years, like Gasly and Perez, have not reached half the talent of Verstappen," he said in comparison. "I have no doubts, he will be among the best five riders ever.

"I think he's on the same list as Senna, Hamilton and Schumacher," the winner of 23 grands prix concluded.