Max Verstappen delivered a brilliant performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, coming from 17th on the grid to win the race.

After a tough qualifying session and a five-place grid penalty for an engine change, the reigning champion faced an almost impossible challenge. However, despite wet and tricky conditions, he pulled off an amazing performance and after getting a bit lucky with red flag timing, ended his ten-race winless streak and extended his lead in the championship.

After the Dutchman’s masterclass, Jeremy Clarkson, writing in The Sun, called Verstappen "possibly the greatest driver we’ve ever seen," and at the same time noted, that Lewis Hamilton is now too old.

However, 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve disagreed, saying it’s unfair to compare drivers from different eras. He also pointed out that while Verstappen has dominated in recent years, he hasn’t faced the same level of competition as legends like Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, or Juan Manuel Fangio.

“How can Jeremy Clarkson say Max Verstappen is the greatest of all time?” Villeneuve told Grosvenor Sport.

“He had a great season when he beat Lewis [Hamilton] for his first championship.

“Then he’s had the same way that Lewis won his first one.

“Then he’s had easy ones, the same way Lewis had easy ones and this year he’s been fighting back, so this year has been a great year.

“You cannot compare the era of Fangio to now, they are different eras.

“So you cannot say any of them is the greatest of all time, the sport has changed too much.”

Even if Verstappen wins a fourth straight title this year, he’ll still have fewer championships than Fangio, Hamilton, or Schumacher but Villeneuve believes that the Dutchman is capable of being as good as them.

“Max Verstappen definitely has what it takes to match Schumacher’s titles,” he added.

“Max is still hungry and competitive and always goes for the win, he doesn’t get brought down.

“With the right situation, he will always be there to win a championship.”