Verstappen on Hamilton rivalry: "We respect each other a lot"

Although they've battled each other on track regularly, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen has said he and Lewis Hamilton "respect each other a lot", with the best battle between the duo coming earlier this season in Hungary.

Verstappen and Hamilton have slowly but surely become the two biggest stars of Formula One. As the 22-year-old is still a rising star despite his five years of F1 experience, he'll have to get past the likes of Hamilton if he wants to secure that elusive first title. 

Speaking on that battle in Hungary, Verstappen said it was a hard but fair fight, as it always is between himself and Hamilton, as the two respect each other on track and leave just enough room for the other.

"Initially we were on the same tyres so we had a bit of fighting going on but at the end I was on tyres that were dying, actually dropping off, and he was on fresh tyres," the seven-time Grand Prix winner told BBC Sport F1.

"For me, that was not really a fight. I prefer to have when it is a bit more equal.

"Lewis is a good racer. We respect each other a lot. We gave each other enough room to fight with, so that's all good for me."