Sergio Perez has labelled Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen as one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1.

The Dutchman is the reigning champion and, as things stand, is looking very good to retain his crown and add another title to his haul.

Perez is his nearest rival in the championship, of course, but is now 46 points back after suffering his second reliability issue of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix, which left him empty-handed.

Indeed, things have been going Max's way in the last couple of races with Charles Leclerc suffering a rotten dose of luck and, given the talent and ability under pressure Verstappen possesses, it is hard to see how anyone reins him in this year.

Speaking to Fox Sports after the Canadian Grand Prix, then, Perez rather underlined that feeling in calling his team-mate one of the greats, despite him being only 24:

“Max is very good, a very complete driver. He’s without a doubt one of the best in F1 history, if not the best, for everything, his [racing] education and because he has things that other F1 drivers do not have.

“The special thing about Max is the ease of going to the limit, Max goes to the limit from the first lap, every change he makes to the car is important and it’s not that he changes his conditioning style, he always goes to the limit.

“The difference is always a corner, it is a level that demands a lot as a driver.”

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 19: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 19, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Max has regularly shown an ability to seal victory under massive pressure.

He did so on multiple occasions last season in his battle with Lewis Hamilton for the championship, and did so again last time out against Carlos Sainz in the closing laps of the race in Canada.

He's very much the real deal, and you would not bet against him making it title number two this season.