Lewis Hamilton has opened up on the success of rival Max Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton has praised arch-rival Max Verstappen’s incredible success (Image: Getty)

Lewis Hamilton has hailed Max Verstappen’s ‘amazing’ record-breaking season but feels that the Red Bull star was too comfortable for most of 2023. Mercedes driver Hamilton bluntly pointed out that Verstappen has barely broken a sweat despite smashing several records.

Hamilton engaged in a bitter rivalry with Verstappen during the 2021 season. The 38-year-old felt that he was unfairly denied the World Championship on the final lap of the season, with Verstappen instead earning his maiden triumph.

The Dutchman has been dominant ever since, easily retaining his world title. Meanwhile, Hamilton has struggled with Mercedes and has not won a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Hamilton has now praised Verstappen’s ‘amazing job’ and insists that the 26-year-old ‘deserves’ his success. But the Silver Arrows ace has aired his frustration over how comfortably Verstappen has won races.

“You can go through the lap times and some of the data from Max, he is just chilling at the front more often than not. I don’t think he has broken a sweat during the year,” Hamilton told the BBC.

Max Verstappen broke several records on his way to winning a third World Championship title (Image: Getty)

“Even when we were chasing him in Austin, I don’t think he was sweating. I think he was just able to control it. And when you are in that position where you have performance and can back off, the car goes further.

“The tyres go longer and you are in a sweet spot and it is amazing to be in that place. Ultimately, they have done an amazing job and worked and deserve it.”

Hamilton has sometimes been criticised over a perception that he avoids praising Verstappen. Martin Brundle felt that the Briton played down Verstappen’s record of 10 consecutive wins after the Italian Grand Prix in September.

Lewis Hamilton has hailed Max Verstappen’s ‘amazing’ season (Image: Getty)

“For Max Verstappen to win 10 consecutive races, along with Red Bull taking all 15 races so far this season, it’s truly something to behold,” the Sky Sports pundit wrote.

“What an achievement to faultlessly keep up that level of performance and reliability on many different track layouts and in varying weather conditions, up against mighty opposition. Congratulations to each and every one of them.”

Brundle added: “So I was a little surprised and disappointed that Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff played down this achievement over the weekend because they rightly received their due reverence and appreciation during their years of total domination from 2014 to 2020.”