Former
Formula 1 driver and world champion
Jenson Button calls
Max Verstappen the "most naturally talented driver he has ever seen" in an interview with
Sky Sports. According to Button, that natural talent is in his blood, as both his parents were professional racing drivers.
When asked who is the most talented driver he has ever seen race, he answers firmly,
"Max." When the interviewer asks why he thinks Verstappen has more natural talent than, say,
Lewis Hamilton, Button cites his parents.
'Verstappen has natural talent from his parents'
Button has raced with both his parents in the past. For example, he says he had to work hard for his first World Cup point in
Formula 1 because he first had to fight his way past
Jos Verstappen.
"You didn't want to get Jos upset," he says.
According to Button, the racing talent was already on display in the karting days of Verstappen's parents. "His father is still one of the best kart drivers ever," he continues. Also, during his time as a kart driver, Button was a teammate of Verstappen's mother, Sophie Kumpen. "She was one of the best in the world," says the Brit. "So it's really in his blood."