Too soon to predict Verstappen greatness - Petrov

May 24 (GMM) It might be too early to predict greatness for F1 teen sensation Max Verstappen, according to a former grand prix driver.

Even before his first win in Barcelona, many insiders were wondering if Red Bull's 18-year-old Dutchman might eventually break the great Michael Schumacher's record tally of seven career titles.

But Vitaly Petrov, Russia's first F1 driver, is applying the brakes.

"I think he won in Spain deservedly," he told Sportbox, "but I think circumstances also played a role in this victory.

"If Mercedes had not gone out, maybe he would not even have been on the podium," Petrov, who drove for Renault and Caterham, told the Russian outlet.

"In general, drivers cannot be judged by any single race. In order to make an objective assessment, we need to see over a longer period of time. Perhaps even years," he added.