Verstappen comparisons 'inappropriate' - Maldonado

Former Formula 1 driver Pastor Maldonado says it is unfair to compare Max Verstappen to him as the Red Bull driver suffers an error-filled start to the 2018 season. Verstappen has made mistakes in all four grands prix so far this season, culminating with a terminal crash with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo in Baku last time out.

Verstappen has also collided with Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, combining two DNFs with sixth and fifth-place finishes across the four races in 2018.

Maldonado developed a reputation for causing collisions through his F1 career with Williams and Lotus, earning the nickname 'Crashtor' in the process.

As Verstappen has struggled in 2018, the internet has been awash with jokes comparing him to Maldonado, but the Venezuelan says that is unfair on the 20-year-old.

He told La Derniere Heure: "Max is a fantastic driver, but he is still very young and so it's normal that he's still making mistakes.

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"He needs to accumulate experience, but comparing him with me is inappropriate."

Maldonado has not raced in F1 since 2015, but has returned to competitive action this year in the World Endurance Championship with DragonSpeed's LMP2 program.

His F1 career was bankrolled by Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, but the company's collapse took away his main source of sponsorship and he accepts his time in F1 is unlikely to return.

"I do not have any sponsors or financial support from my country as was the case before," he added.

"The situation of my countrymen is difficult, but given the climate in Venezuela, it can only get better."