Verstappen like Hamilton in Canada - Rosberg

Max Verstappen pulled off a Lewis Hamilton-like performance to seal third at the Canadian Grand Prix, according to Hamilton's former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. Verstappen entered the weekend with doubts hanging over him after a poor show in Monaco, but he responded impressively in Montreal.

While Daniel Ricciardo dominated in Monte Carlo, Verstappen's challenge was left in a crumpled heap in FP3 thanks to a crash at the swimming pool chicane that forced him to start at the back of the grid.

However, the Dutchman was flawless at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, securing his second podium of the season behind Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas.

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Verstappen had threatened to "head butt" anyone who questioned him over his previous incidents, but that anger was clearly channelled positively on the track, something Rosberg believes is also a trait of the reigning world champion.

"Verstappen – epic weekend," Rosberg said in a video posted to YouTube. "He showed a bit of Lewis Hamilton attitude to me this weekend.

"When Lewis is angry, he is at his best. He channels it into an unbelievable performance and I think Verstappen had some of that this weekend, so he gained this extra focus from the word go.

"He was first all the way through [practice], great qualifying, and finished third. I think that was a really good weekend from him."

Hamilton could only finish fifth in Canada, losing the lead of the drivers' standings to Vettel as a result.

"Lewis – he had one of those off-weekends totally," said Rosberg.

"OK, he had an engine thing in the race, but even so qualifying was still off. Typical for Lewis - these phases where he loses a bit of motivation when things don't go well."