Rookie Nasr joins criticism of Verstappen

Felipe Nasr has joined the chorus of criticism of F1 teenager Max Verstappen.

Since controversially debuting as a 17-year-old this year, Verstappen has on one hand been hailed for his talent but simultaneously condemned for his age and lack of experience.

Bernie Ecclestone, however, has been a vocal supporter.

"It is like telling Mozart he can’t play piano because he is too young," he said in Monaco. "If he’s good enough, that’s it."

However, on Sunday, the young Dutchman was lucky to escape serious injury in a frightening crash at Ste Devote, after which he was criticised by Romain Grosjean and Felipe Massa.

And now Brazilian Nasr, who like Verstappen is a 2015 rookie, has joined the criticism.

"The accident is proof of his inexperience," the 22-year-old Sauber driver, who arrived in F1 this year after three seasons in GP2, told Brazil’s Globo.

"I had an excellent education," said Nasr, "and the time spent in each category was essential to be able to debut well in F1.

"I learned a lot at Williams (as test driver) last year and entered F1 at the right age. I could not imagine myself in F1 even at 20, considering all that I learned in these last few seasons," he insisted.