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Seven-time champion Hamilton has cautioned McLaren’s drivers in the title fight, Oscar Piastri and Norris, about Max Verstappen’s “uncompromising” character as the three racers head into the concluding rounds of the F1 calendar.

The Australian driver is ahead in the drivers’ standings by a 14-point margin from Norris, while the Red Bull star sits 40 points from first place on the back of three wins and a second place in the past four races.

Hamilton, who battled a fierce and dramatic duel for the crown with Verstappen in the 2021 season, said: “In that scenario it's challenging, the tension mounts. This is when you have to put your blinkers up and block everything from outside noise.

“You have to be ruthless and that is what Max is, he intends to snatch this from the McLaren duo if they don’t adopt the same approach.

“It takes deep resolve to hold off a driver like Verstappen and the car he is in. Additionally for Piastri or Norris to come out ahead, consistency is key, and this has been evident with Verstappen lately.”

Hamilton explained that Max was in the most comfortable position as the competitor chasing the leaders. He found himself 104 points behind of Piastri after the event in the Netherlands last month.

“We see three exceptionally gifted competitors and it’s hard to foresee how they will perform,” Hamilton continued.

“Verstappen has claimed the title four times so he understands what it takes and playing the chaser is far simpler than holding the lead.

“As the frontrunner and someone is chopping away, that affects you mentally instead of if you're chasing and there’s no pressure. In the lead you have everything to lose.”

Mercedes driver, the winner of Singapore recently, commented: “The McLaren guys are in the leading car so it's theirs to lose. Yet, Max’s team are delivering a superb effort so they remain a threat.

“There were indications of impressive performance early in the season but their form varied, but currently week in, week out they are dominating.”

Equal Opportunity at the McLaren Team

Piastri and Norris approach the season’s end able to compete openly between themselves and absent of internal mandates affecting them – other than not to crash with one another.

Norris was subject to undefined “repercussions” after colliding with Piastri as he overtook for P3 from his teammate on the opening lap in Singapore.

Post-collision involving both drivers during the sprint race start at Austin in the previous round, the team has lifted these.

“I acknowledge my role from my side in the sprint and we are starting this weekend with no past issues for each driver, just going out and going racing,” said Piastri.

Piastri, the winner of the Dutch GP, has witnessed his advantage shrink after being beaten by his teammate in the last four events, but he said he had also been surprised Max had come into the equation so quickly.

“The performance he's had since Monza has been a bit of a surprise,” he explained.

“There were flashes in the early stages but additionally some pretty big dips. It’s known Red Bull has been applying various improvements on the RB19 seeking gains but he has come the championship battle quicker than I expected.”

Nonetheless, when asked if he had concerns about Verstappen, Piastri responded: “It's not really a focus for me. Max has been reliable and fast the last few weekends but there is no benefit in being concerned with or dwelling on it.

“What will assist securing the title is get the most out of myself, my machine, McLaren. Max is present, he's in the fight but finally it has no effect on my approach to competition.”

Norris added: “Max has had excellent results recently. Red Bull has been delivering a higher level than McLaren.

“Max has taken victory a good amount of races and he’s a top driver. One would be foolish to not acknowledge Verstappen’s potential.

“Currently, Red Bull is performing stronger, a lot of races they were faster. But we still have chances. We have a better car for the remaining races and we must simply make use of that.”

Verstappen stated: “It's clear we had a good run, definitely been enjoying this period as such and we aim to continue this streak into the future. We know perfection is required through the final races to be in contention, but we focus on to get the most from each race and observe the final outcome.”

Pit Lane Incident ‘Amusing’

Red Bull were fined a fine after the American GP, because one of their team members remained on the grid when the grid should have been empty while trying to clear the adhesive McLaren placed in the garage area to help Norris position his car correctly.

Norris said he considered the incident “quite funny, particularly since I didn't even use the guide, which added to the humor”.

He added: “It was there for back up. I didn't need to use it during the US GP. We already knew about their actions. {They tried to take tape off