Hamilton impressed by Honda's progress

Lewis Hamilton has insisted he is impressed by Honda's development following a podium finish for Max Verstappen in the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Red Bull Racing and Honda enjoyed a successful first race together since the Japanese manufacturer became the energy drink brand's engine supplier following an impressive spell at sister-team Toro Rosso.

Verstappen's P3 finish in Melbourne recorded a first podium finish for Honda in the V8-hybrid era and a first since Rubens Barrichello finished in third at Silverstone in 2008.

The 21-year-old overtook Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel on lap 31 and even pressured Hamilton in the latter stages of the grand prix - eventually finishing 1.6 seconds adrift of the world champion.

"They (Red Bull) were able to pass the Ferrari, I think it's awesome," the five-time world champion told reporters following the race in Australia. "The Red Bulls are there with us and I think we are going to have a really, really great battle between the three of us.

"I am sure for Ferrari that something has not been right this weekend, but I am pretty sure that the car is still good. it is going to be a really interesting season."

Hamilton then refused to make any predictions for the season, using his experience as the reason why he wouldn't: "I have been here a long, long time, it's a long year to go and there is a lot of knowledge that we can take from this race.

"The glass is half-full, we have positive things to take from the race."