Lewis Hamilton dished out some rare praise for Max Verstappen as the Brit paid tribute to Red Bull's dominance this season.
The rivalry between them got ugly in 2021 as each gave everything to beat the other to the drivers' title. Verstappen came out on top in controversial circumstances, and ever since not many positive things have been said about the other by either side.
Last month, Verstappen even made it clear he is aware that Hamilton avoids referring to him directly in interviews. "People have told me that he doesn't use my name," said the Dutchman. "I was always taught that you have to respect what people have achieved in sport. I have no problem with what Lewis has achieved. He is one of the best ever."
Ahead of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton broke that habit and made his feelings about Verstappen and Red Bull's achievements in this dominant season clear. "I can't say that I've had time to study every aspect of what Max has done this year, but I think he's done an amazing job," he told reporters in Sao Paulo.
"He's done everything that he had to do. The team provided him with an amazing car and he's delivered pretty much every weekend. He can be proud of the job that he's done – I know what it feels to be in a position like that.
"He's got a chance to win more races, the next two races, so he could take that record that he's now taken even further if we can't stop him, or Ferrari can't stop him. There's not really much more to say, he's done a great job."
Hamilton has been unable to compete for race wins for most of the season, due to the lack of competitiveness of the Mercedes cars. But the Silver Arrows have made progress throughout the season, and the Brit made it clear he is confident of being much more of a force in the title race in 2023.
And to underline that, he is hoping to be able to compete with Ferrari in the final two races of this season to show that Mercedes have made progress. "Ferrari have had an amazing car most of the year and most likely they will be back at the front this weekend," Hamilton added.
"It will be no easy feat to beat them but if we did it would be a pretty amazing comeback and with that narrative it would send them into the winter knowing we mean business."
