Hill pinpoints what separates Verstappen from Hamilton and Schumacher

Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill has hailed Max Verstappen a "new breed of driver" after he wrapped up his third successive title at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver's triumph was a matter of when and not if after a stunning display of dominance this term - his victory at the Lusail International Circuit his 14th out of 17 races.

Verstappen's lead over teammate Sergio Perez, who sits second in the Drivers' standings - has been opened out to 209 points with five races yet to run, with record after record being broken as part of his astonishing run.

The Dutchman has rightfully earned the plaudits of colleagues, rivals and former drivers but 1996 champion Hill has targetted the reason for why Verstappen has enjoyed such command over the rest of the field.

Coached in the right way

"He's a new breed of driver, or a relatively new breed, whereby they have started very young and, in Max's case, his father was an F1 driver, so he had Jos coaching him and giving him all the right direction," Hill explained when speaking to Sky Sports.

"Michael Schumacher lived at a karting track but his father wasn't a Formula 1 driver, though he started very young, as did Lewis Hamilton.

"But Max started from a very early age being groomed in the right way, coached in the right way, to understand what is required.

"He has got the most extraordinary talent, he has got a good head on his shoulders and he is mature.

"He came into F1 when he was 17, before he could even drive a road car, and was volatile and quick.

"Now he has been able to combine that exuberance and speed with experience and in the interview he gave [to Sky] on the weekend, it was very clear he was admitting he understands what the job is better.

"He is just getting better and better all the time."