Formula One legend Rubens Barrichello has suggested that Lewis Hamilton could possibly be the greatest driver ever to grace the grid.

The Brazilian praised the six-time world champion’s mental strength and even stated that the Brit is more talented than his countryman Ayrton Senna, and former teammate Michael Schumacher.

“Hamilton has a talent that is possibly even greater than Ayrton’s and Schumacher’s,” said Barrichello, per gpblog.com.

“The only thing he lacked was maturity. He’s been progressing and today you see the end product.

“Listening to the team radio at the Brazil Grand Prix, he is incredibly calm, passing on information, saying what he needs and doesn’t need.

“The perfect driver would have Ayrton’s skill, Schumacher’s courage and Hamilton’s coordination. It would be a show to watch!”

Hamilton, 35, is now the second-oldest driver on the F1 grid, but has shown few signs of slowing down, having won his sixth world title last year.

He is now second on the all-time winners’ list with 84 career victories, just seven behind Schumacher, and is one behind the German in world championships won. He will look to challenge both of those records this season.

After seven years at Mercedes, Hamilton has one more year on his contract and speculation has been rife that the Stevenage-born driver might like to see out his career with Ferrari.

The Scuderia chief executive officer Louis Calleri has admitted the Marinello-based outfit have held numerous conversations with Hamilton in hopes of securing his services for the 2021 season.

However, word in the Mercedes camp is that Hamilton will stay put and sign a new deal in the coming weeks.