Hamilton wants to battle Verstappen for title...this year

Current Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he wants Max Verstappen to be battling for the title alongside him as soon as this season, and reckons it is a matter of time before the Dutchman is crowned as champion of the sport.

Hamilton is a four-time champion and is going for his fifth title in 2018 - a feat only achieved by Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio.

Verstappen, meanwhile, is recognised as perhaps the most talented driver to come through the ranks in F1 since Hamilton, and the Brit thinks his young rival will become champion sooner rather than later if he continues his development at Red Bull.

“He definitely has the potential to be a world champion as we’ve all seen that and that is why he has such a great following,” Hamilton said of Verstappen.

“We’ve seen the way he drives and he has great potential and is in a great team. I think he is in the perfect place to continue growing.

“He has a long time ahead of him even with a good few seasons under his belt. I still hadn’t even had my first season at 20 so he is even further ahead than me and a lot of the drivers."

It is clear that Hamilton has plenty of respect for Verstappen, but the Mercedes driver insists that it remains his job to stop the 20-year-old from becoming champion for as long as he is around, but hopes the duo can become championship rivals as soon as this season.

“While I’m here I am going to be doing what I can to stop him winning." Hamilton continued.

"People won’t particularly love that but that is what we are here to do, we are here to battle and I am looking forward to having some really positive battles with him – hopefully this year.”