Lewis Hamilton praises 'phenomenal' Max Verstappen for 'raising the bar'

Lewis Hamilton on Thursday praised his erstwhile title rival Max Verstappen for "raising the bar" this season and added his voice to those who support the American Andretti team's bid to enter Formula 1.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix where Red Bull's Verstappen is poised to clinch his third consecutive title, the seven-time champion said the Dutchman had had a phenomenal and faultless year.

"I wouldn't rank him," said the Mercedes driver when asked to do just that.

"I think ranking people is an opinion-based thing. But I do think he's earned his position and he's done an amazing job with the package that he has.

"He and the team have been phenomenal this year. Faultless. And I think they've raised the bar.

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"As a team, we have to look at that and say 'Okay, these are the areas that we need to develop to be able to match that and compete'.

"I do hope at some stage we can fight them and actually have them in a defending position, but they should definitely enjoy the moment because they've worked for it."

Verstappen requires just three points to seal another title triumph and is expected to do that with some ease in Saturday's sprint race at the Lusail International Circuit.

He has very rarely received praise from Hamilton since their ferocious rivalry during the 2021 season when some unexpected decisions by officials at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix appeared to deprive the Briton of an eighth title in controversial fashion as Verstappen claimed victory.

'Great' for the sport

On Thursday, Hamilton also voiced his approval for another American team joining the grid as the entry from Andretti Cadillac Racing faces examination by