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Seven-time champion Hamilton has cautioned McLaren’s championship hopefuls, Oscar Piastri and Norris, concerning Verstappen’s “ruthless” character as these three drivers enter the concluding rounds of the championship.

The Australian driver is ahead in the drivers’ standings by 14 points clear from Norris, while the Red Bull star sits 40 points adrift from first place after three wins and a second place in the last four Grands Prix.

Hamilton, who engaged in a heated duel for the crown with Verstappen in the 2021 season, stated: “In such a situation it’s difficult, the pressure is high. This is when you must block out distractions and block everything from outside noise.

“It’s necessary to be ruthless and this describes Max is, he is going to snatch this from the McLaren duo unless they adopt the same approach.

“One must push hard to resist someone like Max and the car he is in. But also for Piastri or Norris to emerge victorious, reliability matters most, and you've seen that from Max over recent weekends.”

Hamilton noted that Verstappen was in the most comfortable position as the competitor chasing the leaders. He was trailing by 104 points from the lead after the Dutch Grand Prix in late August.

“We see three incredibly talented drivers and I can't predict how they will perform,” he stated.

“Max has won it four times over so he understands what it's like and occupying the pursuing role is far simpler than being the defender.

“When you're in the lead and someone is chopping away, that creates pressure instead of as the pursuer and expectations are low. As the championship leader you have everything to lose.”

Russell, who won the Singapore Grand Prix in the previous rounds, commented: “The McLaren guys possess the quickest machine so it's theirs to lose. However, Verstappen and Red Bull are delivering excellent work so you can never discount them.

“There were indications of great pace early in the season but they lacked consistency, but currently race after race they are smashing it.”

Equal Opportunity at McLaren

The McLaren drivers enter the final five races with no team orders against one another and without team restrictions affecting them – other than steering clear of incidents with each other.

Norris was subject to undefined “repercussions” following a clash with Piastri while taking third place from him during the initial turns in the Singapore GP.

Following the crash of the teammates during the sprint race start at Austin in the previous round, the team has lifted these.

“I acknowledge my role from my side in that event and we begin this weekend with a fresh start for the pair, focusing on and battling on track,” said Piastri.

Piastri, victorious at Zandvoort, has seen his points margin decrease after being beaten by his teammate in recent Grands Prix, but he noted it surprised him Max had entered the title battle in such a short time.

“The run of form he's had after the Italian GP has surprised many,” Piastri remarked.

“There were flashes previously but there were likewise inconsistencies. It’s known they have been throwing many updates at their car aiming to enhance performance but Verstappen has arrived the contest quicker than I expected.”

Nonetheless, when asked if he was concerned about Verstappen, Piastri responded: “This isn’t what I concentrate on. He has been steady and competitive the last few weekends but there’s no point in worrying about or focusing on that.

“The key to me win the championship is extract the maximum out of myself, my machine, McLaren. He's there, he’s contending but finally it doesn’t alter my approach to competition.”

Norris added: “Max has had very good form recently. The team has been achieving a higher level than McLaren.

“Verstappen has secured a good amount of races and he's Max Verstappen. One would be foolish not to consider Max a threat.

“Currently, Red Bull is performing stronger, in many events they were faster. However, opportunities remain. McLaren possesses the quicker machine for the remaining races and we need to capitalize on that.”

Max commented: “Obviously we had a good run, really appreciating this period in this way and we aim to carry that momentum forward. We know we must perform flawlessly to the end to have a chance, but we simply aim to get the most from each race and see where we end up.”

Team Tactics ‘Entertaining’

The Red Bull team were penalized €50,000 after the US Grand Prix, when a Red Bull staff member was on the grid past the allowed time as he attempted to take off the markings used by McLaren on the pit wall to assist Lando park his car in the right place.

Norris said he considered the incident “highly entertaining, particularly since I hadn’t utilized the tape, which added to the humor”.

He stated: “I used it for back up. I didn't need to use it during the US GP. We were aware about their actions. {They tried to take tape off