MAX VERSTAPPEN is the fastest and most gifted driver in F1, according to Jensen Button.
The Sky Sports pundit says Verstappen will believe he has a point to prove after winning the 2021 World Championship in controversial circumstances.
But Button does believe Verstappen has work to do to build on his natural ability and become the all-round driver Hamilton is.
Button told Sky Sports F1: “For me, he’s the fastest, most gifted driver of anyone, but it’s whether he can improve on that and build himself into someone like Lewis who is the complete package.
“I’m sure he (Verstappen) wants to come out fighting and fight for victory from the word go.
“It’s kind of a World Championship he has won, but I’m sure he wants to go and win another so he can go ‘look, it wasn’t down to Michael Masi’.
“It’s always difficult when there’s a controversial ending, but he’s an exceptional talent and I said that from the word go.
“Max was always going to be a good driver and it’s whether he can keep building on the natural ability he has.”
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However, Button believes Mercedes have the upper hand over Red Bull going into the new season and has predicted Hamilton to battle it out with new team-mate George Russell for the championship.
Hamilton was subject to retirement rumours since the end of last season but on Monday he revealed he will be coming back for another year.
And he is set to speak to media at the unveiling of Mercedes’ new car on Friday, alongside Russell.
He will likely be asked about the controversy in Abu Dhabi with the FIA still yet to make a decision on the future of race director Michael Masi after he broke his own rules in Yas Marina.
