Sebastian Vettel believes Max Verstappen is "scary" in that he continues to get better and "is still willing to learn."
Although he is a four-time champion, Verstappen is arguably enjoying his best season in F1 as he takes the fight to the McLaren drivers for a record-equalling fifth straight title in a car which is only third in the constructors'.
In the seven races since the Dutch GP, Verstappen has taken 104 points out of Oscar Piastri to draw level with the Australian, with the pair tied 24 points behind points leader Lando Norris.
Neither Norris nor Piastri have fought for a world title previously, with Verstappen having experience of a nail-biting title race against Lewis Hamilton in 2021.
Since snatching the title away from Hamilton, Verstappen has retained his title three times and won 49 races, including a record-breaking 19 of 22 in 2023.
Analysing Red Bull's second four-time champion, the first one detailed how Verstappen's "scary" trait is that he continues to get even better.
"I think the scary thing is, he's getting better. We know he's good, but he's still improving, he's still hungry, and he's still willing to learn," Vettel told F1's Beyond the Grid podcast.
"I think he's working very hard behind the scenes as well, and that's what makes him so strong. And of course, he's blessed with a lot of talent on top of that.
"But even if he's one of the most talented drivers on the grid, I think ultimately, what makes him so strong, and it is always a combination, but the key ingredient is his head.
"I think in the situations where it matters, he keeps his head, he hardly ever makes a mistake, delivers when he needs to, and feels the pressure, we all do - I don't think it's possible nobody you don't not feel the pressure - but he's able to find a space in his head where he's able to put that to a side and focus on what matters."
When asked if Verstappen would be feeling the pressure of the 2025 title fight less than Norris and Piastri, who are both chasing their first crowns, Vettel agreed.
"Yes, because he's won the championship. I mean, not a lot of people have won that many championships, but I've been lucky to say that I've won a couple," he said.
"I think the biggest relief for me came with the first one. It's just like the first win, it's like: 'Wow, I can do this,' and then obviously after the first win, it's like: 'Now it's clear more than ever you want to win a championship.'
"He doesn't need to prove to himself that he can win a championship, plus in the position he's in right now, being in the hunt, it's like: 'Okay, I've just got to do everything perfect,' and if it works, it works. If it doesn't, doesn't."
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