Verstappen compared to Messi after 'off-the-charts brilliance'

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has drawn a comparison to footballing greats when describing Max Verstappen's drive at the recent São Paulo Grand Prix.

Verstappen won the race after starting from 17th place on the grid and crossed the line almost 20 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.

It has placed the Dutchman on the verge of winning a fourth world title, a feat he can achieve in Las Vegas later this month.

Speaking to Talksport, Jordan hailed Verstappen's skillset as he compared him to some of the all-time great F1 drivers.

“In my lifetime, and I'm no spring chicken here, I've been around this racing game since day one, I don't know of a better race driver,” Jordan said.

“I’ve had [Ayrton] Senna in the car, I've had Michael Schumacher in my car and they were outstanding.

“But what I saw and witnessed in Sao Paulo from Max Verstappen was something completely off the charts in terms of brilliance.”

'Something I've never seen before'

Jordan also made a comparison to football, liking the Dutchman's abilities to that of Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi.

“Sometimes you see a Maradona, or you see Messi and you say, ‘Oh my God, how did they do that?’" remarked Jordan.

“This situation in São Paulo with Max Verstappen coming back [through the field], that was something I've never seen before.

“I’ve never seen such styles and such total calmness. The guy was brilliant.”