Hamilton would have 'no problem' with Verstappen as a team-mate

Lewis Hamilton says he would have “no problem” having Max Verstappen as a team-mate in the future, and hopes the Dutchman’s form continues this season for a potential championship race.

The Dutchman has been in superb form over the past few races, having collected victories in Austria and Germany. He is closing in on Valtteri Bottas in second in the drivers’ championship, which would put him within touching distance of Hamilton, who has welcomed the competition.

"Time will tell [if we will battle for the championship]," Hamilton said ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I think he's done a great job and Red Bull have clearly done a great job in quite a few of the races now.

"I think they will be quick here. They are in general slowly catching us up - though it's easier to catch up than it is to stay ahead and be the leader. But it's great to see them progressing.

"We want the competition. We'll be ready for the fight whatever the case."

Formula 1 fans have been pining for a true battle between the two in the championship, and Hamilton reckons they could do it within the same team, as having the same car would prove who the better driver is!

"I've honestly got no problem with it. As I've said before, I like working with Valtteri,” he admitted, with regards to a potential partnership with Verstappen.

"I don't know how that [Verstappen] dynamic would work for the team, but I'm not saying it would, or would not. I see positives and potential negatives, obviously there's always positives and negatives with different people that you end up working with.

"In some ways it works well for me because I see stories that we've got different cars and that's the only [reason I beat him],” he grinned.

"That gives me an opportunity to show you that that's not the case!"

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