Hamilton and Vettel believe Verstappen is ready to challenge

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel believe Max Verstappen is ready to challenge them right at the top of the drivers' standings next season.

Verstappen was the man who claimed the Mexican Grand Prix that won Hamilton his fifth world championship title.

The 21-year-old finished the season very strongly in his Red Bull car and managed to secure a career-best fourth in the world championship.

The Dutchman scored more than every single driver except the world champion across the nine races after the summer break and Hamilton and Vettel both told Autosport that they think Verstappen is ready to challenge them next season.

"Max has been driving well throughout the year and has shown his consistency and has been up here many, many times with us," Hamilton said. "So, if his team does the job and delivers a platform with which he can compete even closer with us, then of course he'll be in the fight."

With Red Bull's switch to Honda next season, there is an element of risk involved but the energy drink brand will be hoping next season's engine can be more reliable than the Renault one they've had this season.

Vettel believes Verstappen has "all of the ingredients" to win the championship.

"On the track, I don't think he needs any advice," the former Red Bull driver said. "I think he's got all the ingredients."