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How Verstappen became Hamilton's biggest threat

Lewis Hamilton reckons F1's "four strongest drivers" are himself, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen. Here's how the 20-year-old earned his place alongside three world champions

Of all the current drivers on the Formula 1 grid, you can bet Lewis Hamilton is most wary of Max Verstappen. At the end of last season, when asked about the drivers he would most need to watch if all had roughly equal cars, Hamilton confirmed the names of three rivals he felt were operating at a similar level. Verstappen was right there, alongside Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.

"We're the four strongest drivers," said Hamilton, who described Alonso as the "toughest driver there is". Many would agree. But until the Renault-powered teams properly get their act together, Ferrari star Vettel is the most likely to have the chance to put Hamilton under immediate pressure.