Hamilton: "I'm down for hard racing"

Lewis Hamilton may have felt Charles Leclerc got away with one when the Ferrari man squeezed his Mercedes rival wide at Monza last time out, but the Brit has insisted he is ready for some "hard racing" now he knows the standard.

Hamilton finished third at the Italian Grand Prix, whilst Leclerc secured the Scuderia's first win at Monza since 2010. Leclerc forced Hamilton wide as the Brit tried to make his way past the Monegasque and he received a caution for dangerous driving.

Hamilton was unhappy with the driving at the time but he has insisted he will adapt now he knows what to expect. The Brit isn't dwelling on the past and is looking forward to some "hard racing".

“I look forward,” he said as quoted by the Guardian.

“There’s nothing I can do about the past. I’m down for hard racing.”

Max Verstappen weighed in, adding: “I don’t mind a few touches here and there throughout a grand prix.

"Even if it’s not touches then you should be able to defend yourself. For me it’s fine and every driver knows this so we will all race the same.”