Hamilton welcomes Red Bull challenge

Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton insists he is relishing the chance to scrap it out with Red Bull over the coming months.

Hamilton looks well on track to retain the world title this season after picking up eight race victories, but he was pushed to the limit at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, who sits third in the Drivers' Championship following victories in Austria and Germany, started Sunday's race on pole.

The Dutchman led with three laps to go but Mercedes' decision to make an extra pit stop, which put Hamilton on faster tyres, paid dividends as he took to the front.

The pair have enjoyed some mouth-watering battles over recent weeks and Hamilton hopes that continues throughout the rest of the year.

"I'm really happy that after a period of time when everyone was so negative, talking about the sport, we get this big step up from the Red Bulls and now we have a really good battle on our hands, and it looks like it will stay," said Hamilton.

"I think Ferrari will come back into play at some races like Spa and Monza and be quick on the straights - and there aren't a lot of corners - so those places I think they will be really strong.

"But Red Bull have been doing great. It's awesome to see and I hope their performance continues and I really, really hope we have more battles like that."

This article originated on sportinastorm.com