Lewis Hamilton has offered Max Verstappen some words of guidance amidst the Dutchman's impressive streak of success in Formula 1.
Verstappen asserted dominance in the previous year's campaign, securing his third Drivers' Championship and emerging as the clear frontrunner for the upcoming season.
Only Hamilton and Michael Schumacher rank higher than Verstappen in the all-time F1 win list.
Hamilton, a seven-time champion, has faced challenges in recent seasons due to Mercedes' decline in form.
In an interview with Formule1.nl, the Briton advised Verstappen to maintain his current approach to F1 without making any alterations.
"Keep doing what you're doing, I would say,“ he said. “He's doing great."
While Hamilton has not secured a Grand Prix victory since the conclusion of the 2021 season, the 39-year-old is still regarded as one of the most formidable drivers on the grid.
Among those lauded in the upper echelons of drivers alongside Hamilton and Verstappen is Fernando Alonso, who is embarking on his 21st F1 season this year.
When queried about whether he perceives the trio to be the current strongest drivers in F1, Hamilton responded: "I think not only us, but all drivers in Formula 1 are hugely driven. Just for different reasons.
“Different upbringing, different opportunities, different challenges. But I see a lot of similarities with all these drivers and also with younger drivers from Formula 2 and Formula 3, for example.
“I think Max and Fernando have one thing in common with me: all three of us are hugely competitive.
“We go to extremes to achieve what we want. What else they are like as people, I can't say much about that.
“I only know them from the Formula 1 world, it's not like I visit them, for example."