In the round-up: Lewis Hamilton expects Red Bull rival Max Verstappen will keep improving in 2018.

Hamilton acknowledged Verstappen’s progress in a light-hearted exchanged with journalists at the final pre-season test:

Q: Last year you complimented Max Verstappen a couple of times, especially in the second half of the season. Coming into this season do you recognise a different type of driver, do you look at him differently?

LH: No.

Q: A more complete driver?

LH: No. Why would I think he’s a more complete driver?

Q: I don’t know.

LH: You hope he is? Are you Dutch? (Laughter) So you hope he is! (More laughter)

LH: Max, he’ll be growing every year. He should be better, generally, this year. He’s got his dad around him hopefully keeping his feet on the ground. As the car improves and his experience around the team continues to grow he will improve. That can only be good.