Stewart competed for nine seasons in Formula 1 across the 1960s and 70s, winning three championships - he wa💜s the only Brit to achieve this until Lewis Hamilton matched him in 2015.

Verstappen is on course to win his third in a row this year, but Stewart insists that today’s F1 is easier to conq🍌uer.

“Because there are a lot more races,” he told .&nbs🌌p;

“When I became world champion for the first time in 1969, we only competed in 11 g༒rands prix. This year the calendar consisted of 24 races [although two were♏ cancelled]. 

“Given the number, you can afford to have a bad wℱeek𒉰end and still have a chance of winning the title afterwards. But that is only half the truth.”

Stewart was asked what the other half lꦐook looks ﷺlike…

He replied: “How wou🌳ld y𓄧ou describe the job of Verstappen, Hamilton and co?”

Stewart was asked for his opinion as a fello♊w F1 driver…

“Exactly,” he said. “All they do all year long is compete for their team. Back then I still had to drive in r꧂ally, IndyCar, touring championships and 🦂many other competitions to earn enough money. 

“While ൲drivers now dri🌌ve 24 races a year, I had 65 when I was at my peak. 

“This meant that we travelled a lot🦂 more back then. My record for most Atlanti💛c crossings in one year is 61!

“Don't forget: There were n🔯o private jet💝s back then, I flew regular flights. This is unimaginable for most drivers today.”

Stewart was asked if he’d rather be one of today’s F1 d💖rivers.

“Yes, of course! It's more comfortable forꦍ driv🔜ers at every level,” he said. 

“Across competitions, ♏fewer races, better travel, more pay and pure luxury at the grands prix. 

“We used to sit in tents through which th𓆉e wind whistled. Today a number of trucks drive up to unload the team houses. 

“There's no wind whistling through them, they have real walls. The drivers h🧜ave it much 💮better today.”

But S♌tewart accepted there are negative ♛aspects to today’s F1.

“However, they are also followed by the media at every turn,” he said.&nbs⛎p;

“Every action of th🗹eirs is evaluated. It was different for us. 

“We also went out for a drink with the journalists in the evening, and the conten🐎t of the conversation wasn't in the newspaper afterwards.”

Stewart 𝓡was asked if he can see any driver beating Verstappen to a future F1 championship, while the Red Bull driver is still competing.

“Typically, drivers develop until their late tꦐwenties,🍌” he said.

“But to be honesꦕt: I don't see much room for Verstappen to improve. No matter whether it's raining, windy or hot - Max gets the absolute maximum out of the car everywhere.&nඣbsp;

“But you shouldn't forge💝t that he's not a normal 25-year-old. He has been racing in Formula 1 since he was 17 and is much more experienced than others his age.

“It's hard to imagine at the moment, but people als🐽o thought with Lewis Hamilton that no one could beat him as long as he was active. 

“It would be comparatively easy for Sergio Parez to win the title.&nbsꦰp;

“He is in tꦛhe right team at the right time -꧒ but only drives solidly and not outstandingly like Verstappen. 

“It's even ♑a little easier for Max to win multiple world titles in a row than it was in myಞ time.”