Max Verstappen steers clear of comparisons to F1 legends

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner declared Verstappen's charge through the field to third place at a wet Interlagos as "right up there" with F1's most famous rain performances.

Asked about such praise in a Facebook Live Q&A with fans on behalf of a Red Bull sponsor, Verstappen said he was flattered but keen not to get carried away.

"It's very nice that people say those things, but for me the most important thing is just to focus on myself and stay very neutral on all those comments," he said.

"Always try to improve yourself and fly high.

"It's important in the car to stay with two feet on the ground - not only try, just do it."

Verstappen admitted there was "no one" who was an F1 hero for him when he was growing up.

He said he had admired his father Jos's racing career but not looked much beyond that.

"I had a lot of respect for my dad and what he did himself and in the end for me, but aside from that nothing," Verstappen said.

STROLL SHOULD STAY 'NEUTRAL'

Verstappen, 19, will lose his status as F1's youngest driver to 18-year-old Williams signing Lance Stroll next year.

He advised his fellow teenager to do his utmost not to get caught up in the media attention he was likely to receive.

"The most important thing is you have to focus on yourself and be relaxed," Verstappen said.

"Just jump in the car and start to learn it and start to understand.

"It's not something where you should say 'you should straight away go as fast as you can'.

"You have to build up to it. You need to feel comfortable in the car.

"There will be a lot of media attention around him, but the most important stuff is to focus on yourself and just be a very neutral person and try not to be too nervous about all those things around you."