The Red Bull driver is impressed with the current FI world championship leader - who he came second two in the Saudi Arabia grand prix - and thinks the 24-year-old Australian now has the experience behind him to impress on the track.

He told Sky Sports: "People forget a little bit - last year was his second year.

"Now he's in his third year, and he's very solid.

"He's very calm in his approach, and I like that. It shows on track.

"He delivers when he has to, barely makes mistakes - and that's what you need when you want to fight for a championship."

Max also praised the role Oscar's manager, former Red Bull driver Mark Webber, has played in guiding the young racer.

He said: "I think with Mark by his side, he's helping him a lot. It's great," added Verstappen.

"People learn from their own careers - that's what I had with my dad, and Mark is advising Oscar.

"At the end of the day, Oscar is using his talent, and that's great to see."

Oscar and fellow McLaren driver Lando Norris currently have the top two spots in the world championship, and Max thinks Red Bull have some "work to do" to compete.

He said: "I think we need to find more overall performance, balance especially, and of course consistency.

"We are not good at every track. That's quite clear.

"Bahrain, we were lacking a lot. [Saudi Arabia], for sure, it was a lot better. But like I said, it's also very low deg and then more cars come alive. So we still have work to do, but at least [Jeddah was] a promising result."