Niki Lauda: 'Max Verstappen talent of the century'

Niki Lauda watches the action during final practice ahead of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 7, 2014
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Niki Lauda praises Max Verstappen following his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Niki Lauda has praised Max Verstappen following his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.

As the Mercedes team chairman, Lauda was furious in Barcelona after the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg opened the door for Red Bull's new recruit to record a historic win.

"I have no answer except to take my cap off," the F1 legend, who still wears a red cap to cover his scars some 40 years after his 1976 Nurburgring crash, is quoted as saying by German news agency DPA.

"What we are seeing is a talent of the century."

Lauda's compatriot Dr Helmut Marko - the architect of Red Bull's often controversial young driver programme - completely agrees.

"It is unbelievable what [Verstappen] did," Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF. "The way he kept the lead with someone like [Kimi] Raikkonen harrying him is incredible."

Next up on the calendar is the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks' time.

Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene speaks with members of his team in the paddock after final practice for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on April 18, 2015
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