Hamilton wants title fight with Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton hopes Max Verstappen will emerge as a genuine title contender in 2019, suggesting he will grow bored of battling Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton's four-year battle with Nico Rosberg grew increasingly bitter, before his team-mate retired to pave the way for Vettel and Ferrari to emerge.

Verstappen is the most talented youngster to have broken into Formula 1 in years, likely since Hamilton and Vettel did more than a decade ago.

The Dutchman has been hampered by Renault's lack of pace in recent years, with Red Bull unable to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari consistently, prompting next year's switch to Honda power units.

Hamilton hopes that the switch to the Japanese marque pays off, as he sets sights on adding Verstappen to his list of title rivals.

"I need the fight, the challenge," Hamilton is quoted by Blick.

"I do not always want to compete against the same rival. So I'm hoping that Red Bull will be competitive with the Honda engine next year. We need Max in the title fight."

With Ricciardo now moving on, Red Bull is seen as Verstappen's team in 2019 and beyond, despite the promotion of Pierre Gasly from Toro Rosso.

Although Verstappen is unlikely to challenge Hamilton in 2019, Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko hopes the Dutchman will become Red Bull's second world champion.

"Max did a great job in spite of the often haunted car," Marko said. "He is our hope of the future.

"Unfortunately, there is hardly a track left where we have a great chance."

Marko had thought that another of his protegees would be celebrating a fifth world title in 2018, but it appears Hamilton will take that honour.

He said: "I'm afraid that my prediction with Vettel as world champion was wrong!"

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