Former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg believes Max Verstappen's achievements with Red Bull put him "in line" with Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.
Verstappen is well on course to a third title having stretched his lead over teammate Sergio Perez to 53 points after securing five race wins in seven events.
The Dutchman would become only the fifth driver to complete a hat-trick of title wins after Hamilton, Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Juan Manuel Fangio to cement his place in F1 folklore.
Speaking to Sky Sports, 2016 champion Rosberg said: "We are witnessing real historic greatness in line with Schumacher, Hamilton, Senna.
"It's a really incredible performance, extraordinary."
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Takes a lot of fun away
Verstappen has often suggested his longevity in F1 will not stretch past 2028, with the 40-time race winner becoming disillusioned with several regulation and format changes in recent years.
"That talk from him [possibly retiring] started in the year when he battled Hamilton, where he said 'I won't go on for very long if every year is like that'," explained Rosberg.
"Those battles are so fierce and intense, it takes a lot of the fun away as well.
"The sport will always be an intense environment, especially when you are fighting for championships every year and you are the guy who has it all to lose. Every expectation is you are going to win over and over, it's quite demanding.
"I can't put myself in his shoes. Money-wise, he's done. He has so much he won't have to work again or worry again. Record-wise he's already one of the best of all time by the end of this year."
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