Hamilton says Verstappen should 'enjoy' his 'earned position'

Ahead of the Qatari Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen is set to secure his third world championship, Lewis Hamilton spoke about Verstappen and Red Bull's period of dominance. Among other things, Hamilton said that Verstappen should enjoy the period he is now having with the Austrian constructor.

"I wouldn't rank him [Verstappen]," Hamilton told Sky Sports about Verstappen. "I think ranking people is an opinion-based thing. I think he's earned his position, he's done an amazing job with the package that he has," he revealed.

Hamilton wants to see Mercedes fight with Red Bull and Verstappen

"As a team we have to look at that, and say, 'ok, these are the areas that we need to develop to be able to match that and compete'," Hamilton says. "I do hope at some stage we can fight them and actually have them in a defending position, but they should definitely enjoy the moment because they've worked for it," concludes the seven-time Formula One world champion.

Verstappen, meanwhile, has opened the hunt for Hamilton's seven world championships. Should the Dutchman become world champion in Qatar, he will stand on three championships. This puts him in a line with the likes of Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Niki Lauda.