Johannesburg: Mercedes’ non-executive chairman Niki Lauda has heaped praises on Red Bull’s new recruit Max Verstappen and described him as a `talent of the century` after he became the youngest winner in Formula One history at last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The race saw the collision between Mercedes drivers’ Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg that opened the door for Verstappen to record an historic win.
Although Lauda was furious with the collision of his two Mercedes drivers, he couldn’t help gushing over the 18-year-old’s win.
The F1 legend said that he had no other option but to tip his famous red cap, which he still wears to cover his scars that he got during his 1976 Nurburgring crash.
Verstappen has recently replaced Daniil Kvyat in Red Bull after the latter was dropped to the junior team Toro Rosso following his accident with Ferrari’s four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel at Russian Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s win also marked the end of Rosberg’s seven-match winning streak.(ANI)