Verstappen has been grabbing the headlines around the world, right from his announcement as a Formula One driver back in 2014. However, Merhi has played down the hype that surrounds him.
"Max was in the right place at the right time," he said. "There is no doubt that he is a very good driver, but it's also true that everything came to him."
"I don't know whether it was because he is so young or because he is spectacular".
Merhi, now a sports car driver and avid amateur cyclist, also admitted he was not too impressed with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in 2016.
"I don't know if it was him having a bad year, Raikkonen having a good year or a little of the two," said the Spaniard.
Merhi also spoke out about the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Mercedes inflicted team orders in the dying stages of the world championship battle.
"Hamilton was only doing what he had to do, and even if it was his teammate, he was playing all of his last options to be champion," he said.
"I would have done the same or even worse. I can't understand Mercedes at all, because they were no longer fighting for the constructors' or even the driver's championship," Merhi added.
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Roberto Who???? Hahahahaha