In a glowing endorsement that has sent ripples through the Formula 1 community, former world champion Nico Rosberg has declared Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen as the most talented race car driver in the world. The 2016 F1 title winner’s comments come at a time when Verstappen is branching out beyond the pinnacle of motorsport, preparing for a high-profile appearance in a Porsche Cayman GT4 CS at the Nürburgring this weekend.
Rosberg, speaking on Sky Sports F1 alongside analysts Simon Lazenby and David Croft, was discussing Verstappen’s upcoming challenge in the GT4 category. The Dutch sensation, a four-time F1 world champion, must first obtain official licensing from the German Motor Sport Federation (DMSB) by passing an exam to compete in a Category B car. Despite the bureaucratic hurdles, Rosberg expressed unwavering confidence in Verstappen’s abilities.
“He’s the most talented race car driver in the whole world, and it doesn’t matter what car he gets into, he will drive faster than anybody else in the world,” Rosberg stated emphatically. “So of course, he’s gonna do incredibly well.” The praise was in reference to speculation about Verstappen potentially breaking lap records at the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife, a track he has previously tackled unofficially under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann.”
Verstappen’s foray into GT racing highlights his insatiable appetite for competition, even as he navigates a demanding F1 calendar with 24 races per season. Rosberg, who retired from F1 shortly after clinching his own championship in a fierce intra-team battle with Lewis Hamilton, admitted he wouldn’t have the bandwidth for such extracurricular activities. “No, I’ve never done it, and I don’t have a permit,” he said. “Nevertheless, I find it so awesome that he’s doing this; it’s incredible. Like, all of us other drivers, with 24 races, you’re just maxed out, and all you can think of is doing some home time.”
The comments have been widely shared on social media, with fans and analysts alike celebrating the rare unity of praise from a fellow champion. One X post from Motor Sport magazine captured the sentiment: “Nico Rosberg has emphatically claimed four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen is the ‘most talented’ driver on the planet 👀.” Another from Verstappen News echoed Rosberg’s words directly: “Of course he can do the lap record – he’s the most talented race car driver in the whole world.”
This isn’t the first time Rosberg has lavished acclaim on Verstappen. Just days earlier, following Verstappen’s dominant performance at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Rosberg placed him among the top five greatest F1 drivers of all time. “We know he’s one of the five greatest F1 drivers of all time,” Rosberg said post-race. “He’s right up there and drives like today just prove that. You know, it’s just unbelievable what he’s able to do.” That victory, marked by “magical” laps and strategic brilliance, saw Verstappen outpace McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in what was considered inferior machinery.
Rosberg’s admiration dates back years. In 2019, he outlined five reasons why Verstappen was the best on the grid, citing his “unbelievable natural talent” on par with legends like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. More recently, in May 2025, Rosberg dubbed Verstappen the “driver of the year” despite McLaren’s constructors’ success, praising his “Max Verstappen magic” on track. Even in 2023, Rosberg asserted that Verstappen already belonged “among the best five or six drivers ever” in F1 history.
At 28 years old, Verstappen’s resume is already legendary: four consecutive world titles, a record-extending number of wins, and an unyielding dominance that has redefined modern F1. As he eyes further conquests – both in single-seaters and now in GT machinery – Rosberg’s words serve as a testament to his unparalleled skill. Whether at Monza, the Nürburgring, or beyond, Verstappen continues to prove that talent like his transcends categories.
