Lewis Hamilton has told Max Verstappen it is ‘game on’ as Formula One’s title rivals gear up for the fourth chapter of their championship battle in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. Hamilton holds an eight-point advantage over Verstappen following his second win of the season in Portugal last weekend. Verstappen finished only ninth after he was forced to abandon his hot lap when he ran wide at the new left-handed turn 10. Verstappen, already 0.134 seconds slower than Hamilton before the error, elected not to run again, thus handing the initiative to Mercedes. Verstappen was only 17 when he was handed his debut by Toro Rosso in 2015. The following year he was promoted to Red Bull, winning for the team in Spain in his maiden drive after Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crashed out. ‘Max has more experience now and he is clearly incredibly hungry to win more races and to win this championship so it is game on,’ said Hamilton. Verstappen could have started from pole at all of the opening three races but for hiccups in qualifying. Verstappen might also be alarmed by Hamilton’s track record in Spain.

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